CLEMSON, S.C. – The Alabama track & field teams opened competition at Clemson’s Bob Pollock Invitational in Clemson, S.C., on Friday with victories in the men’s 60-meter hurdles, men’s shot put and the women’s long jump.
Tide junior Ruebin Walters won the men’s 60-meter hurdles for the third time in three meets this season, taking the victory with a time of 7.70, which ranks as the fourth-fastest time in school history. Walters now owns five of the 10-fastest times ever run in the event at Alabama.
In the lone men’s field event of the day for UA, junior Kord Ferguson won the shot put with a mark of 61-10 ¼ (18.85m) on his final attempt of the competition. Ferguson also had two other marks of 60 feet plus in the competition. The Ottawa, Kan., native has won the event in both of his outings this season.
Senior Filippa Fotopoulou capped the evening for Alabama with a win in the women’s long jump with a mark of 20-2 ½ (6.16m). The mark was just shy of her season-best performance, set a week ago at the Vanderbilt Invitational, when she topped all collegiate jumpers with an effort of 20-3 ½ (6.18m).
Other highlights for the Tide women on Friday included junior Portious Warren finishing second in the shot put with a mark of 50-10 (15.49m) while senior Brittany Smith tied for third among collegiate competitors in the pole vault with a season best-equaling clearance of 12-7 ½ (3.85m).
On the track, Sophomore Takyera Roberson was the No. 3 collegiate finisher in the 400 meters in 54.35 in her first collegiate outing in the event. Sophomore Katie Funcheon was the No. 7 collegian in a season-best time of 55.75.
For the men, junior Keitavious Walter finished second in the 60-meters with a season best-equaling time of 6.67 and the distance medley relay quartet of Oliver Rigg, freshmen Andrew Powell and Drew Williams and sophomore Drew Williams also finished second in 9:59.08.
Day 2 of the Invitational starts at 10 a.m. with the women’s weight throw. Running events will start at noon with the women’s 600 meters.
