June 3, 2000

DURHAM, NC - Clemson's Shawn Crawford won the 200 Meter National Championship at the NCAA Men's Track and Field Meet at Durham, NC Saturday night. This was the last day of competition.

Clemson was tied for seventh with 21 points in the team race after 18 events. However, the meet was suspended due to lightning and is expected to resume later Saturday night.

In the 200 meter dash, Crawford finished first with a time of 20.09. It was a new Wallace Wade Stadium record and was the best collegiate time this season. Michael Johnson of Baylor set the Wallace Wade Stadium record of 20.18 on June 1, 1990. Crawford edged Miller of Auburn by 3/100 of a second. Crawford has been named All-American in the 200 meters three times in both the NCAA outdoor and indoor competition during his career. He won the national championship in the 200 meters at the 2000 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Meet back in March.

In the 100 meter dash finals, the Tigers' Shawn Crawford finished sixth with a time of 10.26.

In the 110 meter hurdles, Clemson's Todd Matthews finished third with a time of 13.57. The sophomore was the youngest athlete in the race.

In the Decathlon, Clemson's Andy Giesler finished 12th in the competition.

" We had an outstanding meet," said Clemson Head Men's Track Coach Bob Pollock. "Our athletes rose to the competition. I am very proud of Shawn as he became our most decorated athlete in history with 11 All-America Honors in his career. I felt, Todd Matthews ran an excellent race and I thought Andy Giesler did a great job in the decathlon. Fred Sharpe did a great job in the 400 meter hurdles on Friday and rose to the occasion. I am very happy with our performances, and I am very excited that Clemson is coming home with four All-America honors from this meet."

"I thought the 200 was a very intense race," said Clemson's Shawn Crawford. "Anyone in the field could have won the race today, but it was my day. I was running well during the race, and at the end of the 200, I saw Coby Miller (Auburn) on my left and I was able to hold on at the end. I am very happy with my performance at this meet."

Summary of Clemson Athletes

Wednesday, May 31, 2000
4x100 Meter Relay Semifinals--Did Not Finish
400 Meter Hurdles Semifinals, Fred Sharpe 50.43, Qualified for the Finals
200 Meter Dash Trials-Shawn Crawford 20.29, Qualified for the Semifinals

Thursday, June 1, 2000
110 Meter Hurdles Trials, Todd Matthews, 13.90, Qualified for the Semifinals
100 Meter Dash Trials, Shawn Crawford, 10.26, Qualified for the Semifinals

Friday, June 2, 2000
100 Meter Dash Semifinals, Shawn Crawford, 10.17, Qualified for the Finals, All-American
200 Meter Dash Semifinals, Shawn Crawford, 20.38, Qualified for the Finals, All-American
110 Meter Hurdles, Semifinals, Todd Matthews, 13.68, Qualified for the Finals, All-American
400 Meter Hurdles, FINALS, Fred Sharpe, 51.06, Seventh Place, All-American
Decathlon After five events, Andy Giesler 14th with 3706 points.

Saturday, June 3, 2000
100 Meter Dash, FINALS, Sean Crawford, 10.26, Sixth Place
200 Meter Dash, FINALS, Sean Crawford, 20.09, NATIONAL CHAMPION
110 Meter Hurdles, FINALS, Todd Matthews, 13.57, Third Place
Decathlon, COMPLETE, Andy Giesler, 12th place with 7,219 points.