CLEMSON, S.C. – The Benedict College men's and women's indoor track & field teams opened their season on Friday at the Clemson Opener, and All-American Zack Washington opened the season with a school record and won the long jump event.
 
Washington won the long jump with a mark of 7.54 meters (24 feet, 9 inches) to beat a field that included Division I competitors from Norfolk State, Florida A&M, Western Carolina, South Carolina State and Georgia Tech. His previous school record was 7.27 meters. Washington was the only Division II athlete to win an event in the meet.
 
Washington was not the only standout in the season opening meet. DeShaun Tucker set two personal records in the shot put and weight throw. He finished 14^th overall in the shot put with a mark of 13.19 meters (43 feet, 3 ¼ inches), and 14^th in the weight throw with a mark of 40 feet, 9 inches.
 
For the Lady Tigers, Anaiya Houseal, the SIAC high jump champion, started her indoor season by clearing 1.56 meters (5 feet, 1 ¼ inches), to finish 11^th.
 
Freshman sprinter Gabby Pinder started her Benedict career with two strong races. She ran a 7.78 in the 60-meter dash, and 26.45 in the 200-meter dash.
 
The track and field teams will next compete in the Gamecock Opener on Jan. 10 at the USC Indoor Track and Field Complex.