Five world-leading indoor marks established at Orange and Purple Winter Classic

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Georgia was the only NCAA Division 1 women's track and field program in the country last year with three 21-foot long jumpers, indoors or outdoors.

The Bulldogs wasted little time duplicating that remarkable standard Saturday at the Orange and Purple Winter Classic at Clemson's Indoor Track and Field Complex.

Kate Hall produced a world-leading mark of 21-9.50 (6.64m) on her first attempt to set a facility record and new indoor personal best, with Keturah Orji taking second at 21-2 (6.45m) on her first jump and freshman Tara Davis -- the national high school indoor record holder -- finishing third by leaping 21-1.25 (6.43m) on her fourth-round jump.

The meet produced five of the top seven marks in the world during the young indoor season, with Florida's Darrielle McQueen placing fourth with a jump of 20-10.50 (6.36m) on her final attempt and French standout Yanis David producing a leap of 20-8.50 (6.31m) on her last jump for the Gators.

Hall and Orji were both All-Americans indoors in the long jump last year and jumped 21 feet, along with four-time Division 1 pentathlon champion Kendell Williams, who continues to train with the Bulldogs in Athens following her graduation. Hall, who also won the 60-meter dash in 7.32 seconds, still holds the national high school outdoor long jump record at 22-5 (6.83m) from 2015.

Keenon Laine elevated to No. 2 in the world in the men's high jump for Georgia, setting the facility record and equaling the Bulldogs' indoor program mark by clearing 7-5.25 (2.27m).

Former Clemson star Tevin Hester ran equal to the world lead in the men's 60-meter dash by clocking 6.59, with North Carolina A&T sophomore Jaylan Mitchell right behind at 6.60.

Florida freshman Benjamin Lobo Vedel, representing Denmark, clocked 32.80 to take over the world lead in the 300 meters. He also equaled the facility record set last year by teammate Grant Holloway and tied for the No. 4 all-time collegiate mark.

Former Syracuse standout Jarret Eaton ran the No. 2 time in the world in the 60 hurdles at 7.68, with Holloway right behind at 7.69.

Clemson senior Jeffrey Green grabbed the world lead in the 600 with a mark of 1:18.07 and junior teammate John Lewis ran the No. 2 time in the world in the 1,000 by clocking 2:21.96.

Former Iowa State star Edward Kemboi, representing Kenya, ran the No. 2 time in the world in the 800 at 1:49.15, with former Georgia Tech standout and Atlanta Track Club teammate Brandon Lasater moving up to No. 3 at 1:49.18.

Joanna Atkins, the No. 4 American all-time performer in the indoor 300, ran equal to the No. 2 indoor time in the world this year by clocking 53.94 in the 400 and posted the third-fastest 200 time in the world by running 23.58. Tennessee senior Shania Collins ran the No. 2 time in a dual meet Saturday against Indiana by clocking 23.45.

Although it was well off her lifetime-best 1:25.76 last year that elevated her to the world's No. 12 all-time performer, former Clemson and LSU standout Natoya Goule, representing Jamaica, still posted the world lead this year in the 600 by clocking 1:28.20.

Former Tennessee State talent Amber Hughes ran the No. 2 time in the world with her 8.08 in the 60-meter hurdles.