Jan. 16, 2008

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The USC Upstate men's and women's indoor track and field teams are back in action this weekend when they will return to Clemson, S.C., to compete in the Clemson Invitational Friday, January 18 and Saturday, January 19. It will be Upstate's first meet since the season-opening Clemson Indoor Opener last December.

"We are very excited to get things cranked up again," Upstate track and field head coach Jimmy Stephens said. "We're looking forward to see just where we are after having about a month-long break."

Action in the Clemson Invitational kicks off Friday at 5 p.m. with the men's and women's 60 meter high hurdles trials, 60 meter dash trials, 5000 meters, long jump and weight throw. The meet will conclude on Saturday, starting at 11 a.m., with the men's and women's 60 meter high hurdles final, 60 meter dash final, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, mile run, 3000 meters, 1600 meter relay, shot put, pole vault, high jump and triple jump.

For the first time this season, Upstate will be sending distance runners to a track meet, all of whom were on the Upstate men's and women's cross country teams earlier this season.

"I'm looking forward to seeing everyone compete well," Upstate track and field assistant coach Ed Schlichter said. "We want everyone competing for top spots in their heats and we hope that our workouts will shine through in the events."

One of the distance runners making their track debut this weekend is Upstate freshman Emily Tangwar. Tangwar is coming off of a spectacular cross country season which she finished runner-up in the Atlantic Sun Championships and was named A-Sun Freshman of the Year. She will be competing in the mile run and the 3000 meters this weekend.

"Emily trains hard and work hard because that's the type of athlete she is," Stephens said. "We obviously want her to do well and compete well."

Upstate runners Maria Ruvalcaba Trigueros, Kevin Brabham, Brent Durden, Conrad Goeringer, Matt Henderson and Drew Goode will also be competing for the first time this weekend.

There will be several Upstate performers looking to build off their first meet in Clemson earlier this season including freshman Perrish Goggins. Goggins will be competing in the high jump where he finished tied for fourth at the Clemson Opener and the long jump.

"We are going to mix it up with (Perrish) this time and have him compete in the high and long jumps. He's a great athlete and would do every event if I asked him to," Stephens said.

Also looking for more great things this weekend is freshman pole vaulter Justin Crawford, who finished fourth in the Clemson Opener.

Upstate will look to continue its growth and improvement once again, working its way toward the A-Sun Indoor Championships in March.

"I'm looking for everyone to improve. This will be the first meet that we have the full team competing and it'll be good to see that," Schlichter said.