In her first competition in 18 months, Ocean City’s Sophia Curtis, a Clemson freshman, placed 3rd in the triple jump and 4th in the 400 at the Clemson Opener Friday.
Curtis had not competed in any meet since the 2024 New Balance Outdoor Nationals at Franklin Field, where she placed 9th in the 400-meter hurdles and 6th in the triple jump.
Curtis, a two-time Meet of Champions triple jump winner and a state medalist in the intermediates, 400, long jump and high hurdles, spent last year at Virginia Tech but did not compete.
On Friday, competing for Clemson for the first time and as a collegian for the first time, Curtis jumped 40-2 ¾ on her first attempt. She had two other legal jumps over 39 feet. She ran 57.75 in the 400, lowering her indoor PR from 57.80 from the 2024 state Group 3 championships at the Bubble.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 