Hurricanes Track and Field Completes Tom Jones Invitational

Jan. 26, 2008

Gainesville, Fla. –

The <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>University of Miami track and field teams competed in the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational on the campus of the University of Florida, Saturday at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

The women’s team came into the weekend’s invitational after a successful debut at the Illinois Women’s Invite last week, while the men opened their 2008 indoor season.

Ti’erra Brown continues to impress, as she reached a provisional mark in the 55-meter hurdles.  Brown crossed the finish line with a time of 7.81, the fastest time of any freshman.

Brown was also part of the 4X400-meter relay team that reached provisional status, with a second place finish at 3:39.63.  The team consisted of two other freshmen, in twin sisters Takecia and Tameka Jameson.  The fourth member was All-American Krista Simkins.

The throws team of seniors Khadija Talley and Misty Barber reached milestones of their own.  Talley with a mark of 15.61 meters, extended her provisional status from a week ago and Barber set a new indoor personal best at 14.20 meters.

All-American Ena Leufroy ran in the 800 meters and barely missed a provisional time with a run of 2:09.90, good for third place.

“I am pleased with some of the individual performances,” head coach Amy Deem said.  “However, we need to be more competitive as a team as we head into the Virginia Tech Invitational in two weeks.”

For the men, sophomore Elan Daviglus had an outstanding performance in the high jump, placing third with a height of 6-08.75.

Senior Richard Bernard and junior Patrick O’Donnell proved to be a formidable duo in the 800-meter run.  The upperclassman placed third and fourth respectively with times of 1:53.01 and 1:53.25.

The men’s and women’s team will compete together for the remainder of the indoor season, traveling next to Blacksburg, Va. for the ACC Challenge Feb. 8-9.