Clemson's Weber Strikes Gold in ACC Indoor Track and Field Championships

Feb. 26, 2009

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The women’s pentathlon highlighted day one of the 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, and Clemson’s Liane Weber emerged a gold medalist for the second time in three years.

Weber capped a stellar day with a meet-record time of 2:15.65 in the 800-meter run on Thursday to finish with 4,218 overall points. The Wangen, Germany, junior’s pentathlon point total is the second highest posted in the NCAA this season. Penn State’s Gayle Hunter leads with 4,236.

Weber, who also won the event as a freshman in 2007 with 4,089 points, ran a time of 8.68 in the 60-meter hurdles while registering a high jump of 5-07.25, a shot put throw of 38-03.25 and a long jump of 19-08.25.

Clemson teammate Patricia Mamona placed second with 4,081 points, followed by NC State’s Mattie Bethea at 3,934.

Two other ACC Women’s Championship pentathlon records fell in addition to the 800-meter run. Bethea posted a record high jump of 5-10.75, and Virginia’s Ayla Smith set a new 60-meter hurdle standard of 8.40. Smith placed fourth in the overall pentathlon scoring.

Weber and Mamona keyed Clemson (18 points) to an early lead in the three-day meet. NC State holds second with six points, followed by Virginia and Maryland with five apiece.

Through four events in the men’s heptathlon, 2008 champion Gonzalo Barroilhet of Florida State holds first place with 3,180 points. Barroilhet’s effort on Thursday included a Championship-record long jump of 23-06.75.

The 2009 ACC Indoor Track and Field Championships will resume tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 27, at noon and will run into the early evening. Highlights will include the conclusion of the men’s heptathlon, as well as prelims in the women’s 60-meter hurdles and the men’s 60-meter dash.

Friday’s events will be available for viewing at www.ACCSelect.com beginning at 4 p.m.