Hurricanes Head to Atlanta for Georgia Tech Invite

May 15, 2008

CORAL GABLES – The <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>University of Miami men’s track and field team will return to the site of the 2008 ACC Outdoor Championships for the Georgia Tech Invitational at George C. Griffin Track.  The event, which is expected to bring 1,200 athletes to Atlanta will run Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

Four-time All-American Tim Harris will run in the 800-meters for the first time since the 1:47.25 he ran on the very same George C. Griffin Track at the ACC Championship.  At the time, that finish was the best in 2008 by any American, it still holds as the nation’s best collegiate time.  Joining Harris in the event will be Patrick O’Donnell who will be aiming for the right to run in the regional championships.

Cory Nelms and Les Bradley II have both reached NCAA regional qualifying standards in the 110-meter hurdles, and both will look to move up in the rankings as they will run in the event, beginning with the preliminary heat Friday evening.  Nelms will also be running in the 400-meter hurdles where he holds a regional time as well.  Both Bradley and Nelms are listed as alternates for the 4×100-meter relay.

Trying to earn a regional bid in that 4×100 will be Bruce Johnson, Khalil Jones, Shawnbrey McNeal and DeMarcus Van Dyke.  Currently the team is just a tenth of a second from reaching their regional qualifying goal.  Jones and Van Dyke will both run in the 200-meters with Van Dyke also running the 100-meters.

Competing in the field events will be high jumper Elan Daviglus and pole vaulter Casey McGinn.  Both will use their last chance to earn a trip to Tallahassee, the site of the NCAA East Region Championship.

Nelms and Bradley II will be the only student-athletes competing Friday with the 110-meter hurdles at 6 p.m.  McGinn will open up competition on Saturday with the pole vault at noon.