Jermaine Clayton Reaches Finals of Long Jump at NCAA Track and Field Meet

Results of IUP Competitors

Jermaine Clayton advanced to the finals of the long jump before finishing in ninth place at the NCAA Division II track and field championships at Emporia, Kansas.

Clayton had a best mark of 24 feet, 1/4 inch and just missed out on a spot on the All-America team.  The top eight in each event earn that distinction.  Wilbert Walker of Lincoln won with a leap of 26-8 1/4.

Clayton also competed in the prelims of the 100 meters but did not qualify for the finals after posting a time of 10.70.  He was ranked seventh in the nation in both the long jump and 100 entering the meet.

The senior from Blairsville and Derry Area High School will have one more chance to earn All-America honors when he takes part in the triple jump on Saturday.

Prior to the meet, Clayton was selected the Outstanding Field Athlete of the Year for the East Region.  He won the 100, long jump and triple jump at the PSAC meet and set school records in all three events.

Nicole Blaesser was the second IUP athlete to compete on the first day of competition.  She finished 14th in the 10,000 meters with a time of 38:50.76.

Sean Strauman is the lone IUP entry scheduled to compete on Friday, running in the prelims of the 800 meters.  The finals of that event are Saturday along with the javelin, which includes IUP throwers Rob Conrad and Mike Rairigh.