University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Clemson
Merritt Wins 60 Meter Hurdles to Cap Clemson Opener
December 06, 2003 | Men's Track
Dec. 6, 2003
CLEMSON, S.C. -- Freshman Aries Merritt made the most of his first collegiate meet by taking the 60m hurdles championship in 7.98 Saturday at the Clemson Opener.
Merritt outraced two homestanding Tiger hurdlers to take the first title and facility record in the event at the new Clemson Indoor Track and Field Facilty. Merritt's 7.98 clocking flirted with the NCAA provisional qualifying standard a few hundredths of a second away.
"We got a chance to look at the track," head coach Bill Webb said. "It's a nice facility. We'll be back in a month for a heptathlon. Our pole vaulters got a lot out of this meet. It was a nice chance for a few people to get some things done.
As Webb mentioned, the meet offered the pole vaulters a chance to shake off the rust. Newcomer Mike Yurcho took advantage of the early opportunity for a third-place, 16-6.75 clearance. Yurcho, a senior, transferred from West Virginia after the Mountaineers axed their program. Maryville native Jeff Trembley took fifth with a 16-0.75 clearance, making progress from a year ago.
Decathlete Chris Helwick continued his immersion into collegiate track and field. Helwick finished ninth in the high jump with a 6-5 leap. The freshman also finished 23rd in the 300m dash, not a NCAA or SEC-contested event, with a 37.40 time. Meanwhile, fellow decathlete Blake Sabo finished 31st in the 300m dash after running the distance in 38.07.
After his lifetime-best weight throw Friday, Jim Sexton couldn't quite find his comfort zone in the shot put. The Knoxville Central product finished 16th with a 38-10.25.
The Vols wrap up exams late next week before breaking for the holidays. The squad reports back to campus early for the Jan. 9 home opener, the Tennessee All-Comers in Stokely Athletics Center.
