Myrick Leads Miami Women At BIG EAST Track Championships

May 6, 2000

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Miami junior Wyllesheia Myrick (Miami Northwestern) wasthe top qualifier in both the 100-meters (11.49) and 200-meters (23.45) atthe BIG EAST Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Piscataway, NJ.

Myrick set a UM record in the 200-meters and provisionally qualified inboth events for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, May 31-June3, in Durham, NC.

“I ran really well today which gives me a lot of confidence heading intotomorrow,” said Myrick. “With the loss of Yolanda McCray (1999 BIG EAST TrackAthlete of the Year) I felt I really needed to step up.”Myrick’s 100-meter time bettered the meet record of 11.54 but was wind-aidedwith a 3.4 meters per second wind reading. BIG EAST records are only validwith a 2.0 or lower wind reading.

“Wyllesheia (Myrick) looked very relaxed,” said head coach Amy Deem. “Sheset herself up to run very fast tomorrow.”

Miami dominated the triple jump competition finishing second, fourth,fifth and seventh. Sophomore All-America Kareen Clarke (Lithonic, GA) ledMiami with a leap of 12.97 meters (42-06.75). Clarke, ranked second in thenation in the event, finished second to Villanova’s Marlena Robinson whofinished first with a leap of 13.03 meters (42-09.00).

Junior Antonnikka Owens (Orlando, FL) finished fourth with apersonal-best leap of 12.80 meters (42-00.00) while freshmen Gina Harris(Philadelphia, PA) and Suzette Rose (Algonquin, IL) finished fifth(12.77m/41-10.75) and seventh (12.15m/39-10.50) respectively.

The Hurricanes also looked strong in the 800-meters qualifying threerunners for Sunday’s final. All-America Natalie Watson won her heat with atime of 2:09.83 to lead Miami while Danika Dodds (2:08.99) and PatriciaPearson (2:10.30) also advanced.

Competition concludes on Sunday.