May 5, 2002
Storrs, CT (hurricanesports.com) – The University of Miami women’s track and field team recorded victories in the 100-meters, 200-meters, 100-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles and 4×400-meter relay Sunday en route to a decisive victory at the BIG EAST Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Storrs, CT.
Miami recorded 150 points finishing 40 points ahead of Notre Dame who took second (110 points). The BIG EAST Outdoor title is the second straight for Miami and the fourth in the last five seasons.
Following the meet, Amy Deem and her staff were named BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year for the fifth time in last seven seasons. Deem and her coaching staff also won the award in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2001.
“This was a total team effort,” said Deem. “Our kids stayed focused, competed hard and took advantage of every opportunity.”
All-Americans Lauryn Williams (Rochester, PA) and Wyllesheia Myrick (Miami Northwestern) led the way for the Hurricanes finishing one-two in both the 100-meters and 200-meters.
Williams, who won the BIG EAST 60-meter title earlier this season, took first in the 100-meters with a school-record time of 11.40. Myrick, the 2000 BIG EAST Champion in the 100-meters, finished close behind with a time of 11.48.
The two reversed places in the 200-meters. Myrick, the 2000 BIG EAST 200-meter champion, won with a season-best time of 23.55, while Williams finished second with a time of 23.71.
Junior Jamillah Wade (Philadelphia, PA) successfully defended her BIG EAST title from last season taking first in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 59.04, while junior Sharianne Lawson (Palm Beach Lakes) won the 100-meter hurdle title in a time of 13.63.
UM’s jumpers were once again impressive. Miami took four of the top-6 spots in the long jump led by junior Gina Harris (Philadelphia, PA) who finished second with a jump of 6.27 meters (20-07.00). Harris’ mark provisionally qualifies her for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, May 29-June 1 in Baton Rouge, LA.
Senior Kareen Clarke (Lithonic, GA), who won the BIG EAST triple jump title on Saturday, finished third in the long jump with a leap of 6.23 meters (20-05.25). Lawson followed up her victory in the 100-meter hurdles with a fourth-place finish in the long jump (6.23 meters/20-05.25) while freshman Chinela Davis (Haverstraw, NY) was sixth (6.14 meters/20-01.75).
Miami’s 400-meter runners also scored well taking three of the top six positions. Junior Saraque Whittaker (Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas) finished second with a time of 53.58 followed by senior Jenise Winston (League City, TX) in fourth (54.44) and sophomore Kitoya Carter (Miami Northwester) in sixth (54.54).
The 400-meter trio closed out Miami’s team title with a record setting victory in the 4×400-meter relay. Whittaker, Winston and Carter were joined by Wade, the 400-hurdle champion, in recording a UM and BIG EAST record time of 3:33.57. The mark is the fourth fastest in the nation this season.
Other Hurricane scorers included junior Patricia Pearson (Jacksonville, FL) who took second in the 800-meters (2:07.38), freshman Amber Williams (Succasunna, NJ) who finished took seventh in the high jump with a mark of 1.64 meters (5:04.50) and junior Megan Cobb (Ypsilanti, MI) who took seventh in the hammer throw with a UM record toss of 48.13 meters (157-11.00).