Randolph Ross Jr. is preparing to kick off his indoor track season at the Bob Pollock Invitational, scheduled for January 30-31, 2026, at the Clemson Indoor Track & Field Complex in South Carolina. This marks an important opportunity for the Olympic champion as he continues his comeback following a challenging 2025 season.
The Bob Pollock Invitational is the fourth of five home meets for Clemson this indoor season, coming ahead of the ACC Indoor Championships in Boston, Massachusetts, in February. Track and field fans can follow the action through ESPN+ live streaming coverage across both days, with Flash Results providing real-time updates and results throughout the competition. Watch on ESPN+ (Friday) | Watch on EPSN+ (Saturday) | Flash Results
Randolph Ross Jr. brings a solid resume to the starting line. The 25-year-old sprinter is a three-time NCAA champion—winning the 400m twice—and captured Olympic gold at the 2021 Tokyo Games. However, his career was interrupted by a three-year suspension, and his return last summer proved challenging. He competed in just three races before ending his season early after failing to advance past the heats at the U.S. Championships in August.
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At the Bob Pollock Invitational, Ross Jr. will double up, competing in both the 200m and 400m events. He’ll face a competitive field featuring collegiate and professional athletes from schools including Clemson, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, NC State, and Ole Miss.
Ross Jr. enters the meet with indoor personal bests of 20.50 seconds in the 200m and 44.62 seconds in the 400m. His outdoor 400m personal best stands at 43.85 seconds, demonstrating the elite level he’s capable of reaching.
The American will start in heat one of the 400m against Saad Hinti of Tennessee who has gone as fast as 32.46 second for 300m this year. Ross Jr. will line-up in section 4 of the men’s 200m agianst Cooper Rodgers of Mississippi State and Caden Terrell of Georgia Tech.
International and Collegiate Fields
The meet will feature a diverse international representation, with athletes from the United States, Jamaica, Canada, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Kenya, Lebanon, Ireland, France, Bahamas, Belgium, and Guinea competing across various events.
With over two dozen universities participating, the Bob Pollock Invitational promises to provide Ross Jr. with quality competition as he aims to build momentum and return to championship form in 2026.
Alabama State, Auburn, Catawba, Charlotte, Clemson, Coastal Carolina, Duke, East Carolina, Florida A&M, Furman, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech, Howard, Life, Lynchburg, Miss State, NC State, Ole Miss, Penn, Samford, Southern Wesleyan, Tennessee, Troy, UAB, and Vanderbilt.
