UM 4x400-Meter Relay Sets School-Record, Advances To Final
Read Saraque Whittaker’s Diary from the NCAA Championships here
Baton Rouge, LA (hurricanesports.com) – The University of Miami women’s 4×400-meter relay established a new school-record to advance to the finals, and three UM individuals moved on to the semifinals of their respective events at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Baton Rouge, LA.
The Hurricanes’ 4×400-meter relay of junior Saraque Whittaker (Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), junior Jamillah Wade (Philadelphia, PA), senior Jenise Winston (League City, TX) and sophomore Kitoya Carter (Miami Northwestern) finished third in its semifinal heat with a school-record time of 3:32.58 to advance to Saturday’s final.
“I am very proud of how the 4×400-meter relay performed today,” said head coach Amy Deem. “To come to the NCAA Championships and perform your best is what its all about. They have battled all season and I couldn’t be more thrilled for them right now.”
The relay, which entered the NCAA Championship ranked 5th in the nation, posted the seventh fastest time of the semifinals. Miami, which has had 15 athletes earn a combined 39 All-America honors since 1992, has never had a 4×400-meter relay earn All-America honors. Miami can change that fact with top-8 finish on Saturday.
In the 100-meters freshman Lauryn Williams (Rochester, PA) and senior Wyllesheia Myrick (Miami Northwestern) advanced to the semifinals. Williams, the BIG EAST 100-meter Champion, finished second in her heat with a time of 11.41 to move on, while Myrick took fourth in her preliminary heat with a time of 11.54.
“I felt really good during the race but I had trouble keeping track of the other runners because I was in an outside lane,” said Williams. “I know I have a much faster race in me.”
Williams time is the second fastest in school-history and was the fourth fastest of the preliminary round.
“I got off to a good start but I didn’t hold it throughout the race,” said Myrick. “I think I held back a little today. To reach the final on Saturday I need to attack and be more aggressive throughout the entire race tomorrow.”
Junior Sharianne Lawson (Palm Beach Lakes) finished fourth in her preliminary heat with a time of 13.34 to advance to Friday’s semifinals of the 100-meter hurdles. Lawson, the BIG EAST Champion, posted her second fastest time of the season in advancing. She is attempting to become Miami’s eighth All-American in the event since 1992.
In the long jump senior Kareen Clarke (Lithonia, GA) finished 16th with a jump of 6.04 meters while junior Gina Harris (Philadelphia, PA) recorded a mark of 5.93 meters to finish 21st.
“Overall I am very pleased with the team’s performance today,” added Deem. “Everyone did what they needed to do in order too advance. To do well at the NCAA Championships you need to take advantage of every opportunity and we pretty much did that today.”
Friday's Women's Competition (All times Central):7:50 PM 100-Meter Semifinals (Williams, Myrick)8:35 PM 100-Meter Hurdles Semifinals (Lawson)
