University of Georgia Athletics
University of Georgia
Clemson Invite
Day Two Of Clemson Invite Brings An Array Of Top-10 National Marks
January 13, 2024 | Track & Field
CLEMSON, S.C. --- Georgia track & field continued its impactful start by a variety of newcomers and returning scorers to conclude the indoor season-opening Clemson Invitational Saturday.
Sophomore Christopher Morales Williams had the top collegiate finisher (second overall) and set the Canadian national record in the 300-meter dash to highlight day two.
Other series of Georgia competitors recorded wins or top collegiate finishes: Aaliyah Butler (women's 300m), Ryan Olree (men's 3000m), women's 4x400m relay, Elena Kulichenko (women's high jump), Zavien Wolfe (men's triple jump), Alex Kolesnikoff (men's shot put), Kelsie Murrell-Ross (women's shot put) and Riyon Rankin (men's shot put).
Full Results: For results from the weekend, please visit: http://gado.gs/b8w
The Lowdown: Morales Williams, who hails from Vaughan, Ontario, blazed to a 32.47 for a Canadian Under-23 national record, topping the former mark of 32.53. Morales Williams now owns the Under-16, Under-20 and Under-23 all-time finishes in the event for his homeland.
Butler was the only competitor to break 37 seconds with a 36.65 to win the women's 300m.
Butler returned in the 4x400m relay alongside Haley Tate and newcomer sisters Sydney and Kimberly Harris and the quartet won in 3:33.37. This finish rocketed the unit to third on Georgia's all-time top-10 list and fifth on the current national list.
All-American Elena Kulichenko cruised over the high jump bar at 1.85 meters/6 feet, ¾ inches on her first attempt to win her opener and tie for fourth on the current national list.
On the men's side, true freshman Riyon Rankin collected the second-best high jump mark in the nation this year with a clearance of 2.21m/7-3 to win. Rankin situated himself in a tie for seventh on the Bulldogs' all-time top-10 list.
Kolesnikoff, a Harvard graduate transfer, wasted little time on his second attempt in the shot put to lock down the victory and move to sixth on the UGA all-time top-10 list. He is third currently on the national list early in the campaign.
Murrell-Ross gave Georgia the victory in the women's shot put as well by more than 10 feet. Her fifth throw in the series measured 16.13m/52-11, which ranks fourth best all-time in school history. The Grenada native earned spots in the UGA record books in both the shot and weight throw this weekend.
The country's top 15 in 2024 added another member as freshman Zavien Wolfe took off on his third attempt in the triple jump for a mark of 15.47m/50-9.25. This performance earned him the top collegiate finish (second overall) and put him in a tie for the No. 10 spot in the school record books,
In his first indoor meet as a Bulldog, Ryan Olree completed his laps in the 3000m in 8:10.30 to finish ahead of the field. His victory shot him to ninth in the school record books.
The Lady Bulldogs also went 2-3-4 in the women's 800m with Sophia Baker (2:12.15) leading Kieley Gayle (2:12.28) and Simone Rojas (2:14.62) across the line.
Up Next: Georgia goes in different directions next weekend. One contingent travels to Boston, Mass., for The Track at New Balance Collegiate Showdown (Jan. 20) and the distance runners are going to Nashville for the Vanderbilt Invitational (Jan. 19-20).
Where To Find Bulldogs News: Results and recaps from the Clemson Invite will be found at georgiadogs.com. News and updates from Georgia's track and field and cross country teams are always located on Twitter/Instagram at @UGATrack.
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