After high school Hairston competed for Auburn
University, and was 5th in the 100m hurdles in the
1982 NCAA Championships. She was also 5th
in the '82 NCAA Indoor Championships 60-yard hurdles

At Auburn she ran a best of 7.79 for the 55-meter
hurdles, long jumped 19-7, and triple jumped
39-8 3/4. As of 2002, Hairston still holds the Auburn
freshman record in the 55m hurdles (7.58, 1982).

As of late April 2002, Hairston's high school 4x200
relay team still holds the meet record at the Queen
City Relays -- 1:40.5 (East Forsyth: Robin Cremedy,
Jamie Cathcart, Carol Williams, Clara Hairston, 1981).