Simkins and Brown Take Nation's Top Times
March 29, 2008
CORAL GABLES – The <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>University of Miami women’s track team was running on all cylinders Saturday at the Hurricane Challenge at Cobb Stadium as 10 individuals and both relay teams qualified for the NCAA Regionals. In the process, the Hurricanes saw two student-athletes reach No. 1rankings. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Two weeks removed from winning the NCAA Indoor 400-meters, Krista Simkins made her outdoor debut in style, as she ran the fastest 200-meter time in the country among this year’s collegiate athletes. Her winning time of 23.14 easily qualifies for regionals. Improving on last week’s time and setting a new personal best, was sophomore Kristy Whyte, who finished two spots behind Simkins with a time of 23.56, ranking her third in the nation.
Head Coach Amy Deem recognized the accomplishments of the two sprinters, “I am extremely pleased in the way Krista opened and how Kristy has been getting better every week.”
Two members of Miami’s strong freshman class grabbed regional times in the 100-meter hurdles. Ti’erra Brown and Takecia Jameson with times of 13.56 and 13.83 took the second and fourth places respectively. Both of the rising stars recorded personal bests with their efforts. Brown makes it into the nation’s top-ten with her time, sitting at No. 9.
Brown set another personal best in the 400-meter hurdles as she was joined by Takecia Jameson and Tameka Jameson in improving on their regional times from a week ago. Brown’s time of 58.08 also improved her No. 1 ranking in the event. Takecia Jameson remains the second ranked 400-meter hurdler at 58.43 and Tameka Jameson moves to No. 5 at 59.59.
“Ti’erra opened with a personal best in the 100 hurdles and she keeps improving in the 400 hurdles. I am pleased with her improved technique and look forward to seeing next week’s results,” said Deem.
Simkins made her presence felt in the 4×100 relay as well, helping the team earn another regional qualifier in the event with a winning time of 44.57. Joining the three-time All-American in the relay were Thomas, Whyte and Fuller.
The 4×400 relay also qualified for regionals, improving by over six seconds from lasts week’s performance at the Hurricane Inviational. Brown, Tamkeka Jameson, Whyte and Leufroy ran the event in 3:41.17, more than five seconds better than the runner-up.
Senior Khadija Talley made her 2008 outdoor debut earning regional qualifying marks in two of the three events she took part in. With marks of 14.97m (shot put) and 52.72m (discus) Talley ensured her trip to the NCAA Regional Championships this May. Talley also had an impressive showing in the hammer throw, finishing second with a throw of 51.94m.
Freshman Miranda Wilson set personal bests in both the hammer throw (45.37m) and the shot put (14.06m). The future of the Miami throws program looks to be in great shape as this young Hurricane continues to improve. Wilson also competed in the discus, ending with a throw of 42.98m.
In reaching a season-best mark in the long jump, sophomore Deandra Doyley qualified for regionals with a leap of 6.06m. Doyley also competed in the triple jump, finishing second at 11.84m.
Freshmen Tara Thomas and Salewa Adenikenju recorded season best in the 100-meters with times of 11.93 and 13.09 respectively. Junior Nicole McGowan made her season debut at 12.83.
Viktoria Andonova only needed one attempt to win the high jump as she matched her season-high, regional mark of 1.75m.
Freshman Charlene Fuller, sophomore transfer Nene Kamate and freshman Tara Thomas all ran sub 25-second in the 200-meters as well.
Junior All-American Ena Leufroy beat her previous week’s time by over four seconds in winning the 800-meters.
Freshman Katherine Woodard will be scoring points for her team come ACC Championships time, as she won the 3,000-meter run Saturday afternoon with a time 11:19.94.
Senior Kaitlin Nazario took second place in the javelin with a throw of 42.59m.
In the pole vault, junior Tracy Coffy matched her season-best mark with a vault of 2.85m.
“If we keep getting better every week, like we have the last two, then we will be in great shape for the ACC Championships,” said Deem.
Next week the track and field teams will be on the road as they travel to Gainesville to take part in the Florida Relays, before returning home to host the Miami Elite Invitational Saturday, April 12 at Cobb Stadium.
