Sophomore Ian Clough ’21 has qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships for the second consecutive year. As he did a year ago, the standout sprinter had to reset the St. Lawrence Men’s Track & Field record book in order to earn his spot at the championships. Amidst his dominant season, he is unbeaten in head-to-head matchups for the 60 meter dash in 2019.
Clough repeated as the Liberty League Indoor champion in the 60 meter dash by breaking his own record of 6.92 seconds. He ran the fastest time in the preliminary round by posting a time of 6.91s and he clinched the title by running 6.87s the next day in finals.
He followed up those performances by winning the 60 meter dash at the All-Atlantic Regional Track and Field Conference Championships with a time of 6.91s.
Clough indicated that he needed every bit of his school record performances to fulfill this season’s goal and qualify for nationals. “Running 6.92s a year ago earned me the 14 of 20 spots at NCAAs but I would not have made it back this year if I did not run a personal best time,” said Clough. “Now that I made it back my goal is to finish in the top eight and earn All American honors.”
If he makes it past the preliminary rounds and into finals, he will have achieved his goal and earn All-American status. However, Clough stated that he plans to run a race where he can walk away without any excuses for why he could have done better.
“It means a lot to have Ian make his second trip to NCAAs, to perform at the highest level and represent our program,” said St. Lawrence Men’s Cross Country and Track & Field Head Coach John Newman. Newman has coached 16 All-American athletes during his 19-year tenure at St. Lawrence, including a national champion in 2010.
He is no stranger to coaching an athlete of Clough’s caliber. “Ian is the best sprinter we have seen in the 60 meter dash out of everyone who has come through this program.”
“Ian has become more self assured of himself over the past year,” said St. Lawrence Track & Field Assistant Coach Carly Stine. Stine noted that Clough battled multiple injuries a year ago that lingered from high school.
“He is better now at communicating what kind of training he can handle and he is committed to recovering in the trainer’s room before and after each workout.”
Stine indicated that Clough’s first appearance at nationals a year ago has made him more hungry for a better performance this year.
Clough will toe the line for the first round of the 60 meter dash Friday, March 8 at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center in Boston, Mass. at 2:45 p.m. The winner of each heat and the next five fastest times qualify for finals on Saturday, March 9 at 2:20 p.m.