Ahoure and Morse Lead Miami in Final Day of VT Elite
Feb. 7, 2009
BLACKSBURG, Va. – The University of Miami track and field teams completed the Virginia Tech Elite at the Rector Field House on Saturday at afternoon.
Senior Murielle Ahoure, who owns the world’s fastest time in the 60-meter dash this year, won the 200-meter dash with a provisional time of 23.26 seconds. The performance is also the best time of the year in the United States. The time was good enough for second-best in school history, behind only Lauryn Williams’ time of 22.79. Junior Kristy Whyte narrowly missed a provisional time, with a fifth-place finish at 24.48.
“I am happy to see Murielle get her personal-best in the 200, indoor or outdoor,” said Director of Track and Field Amy Deem.
Junior Mikese Morse reached his third provisional mark of the year with a season-best distance of 7.58m (24-10.50) in the long jump. The Tampa native also participated in the triple jump and placed third with a mark of 15.11m (49-07.00).
“Mikese continues to get better every week and as a team that is all we wanted to do,” added Deem. “We are looking to continue to improve as we get ready for the conference championships.”
Freshman Brittni Finch was outstanding in her first attempt in her collegiate career in the triple jump. Her mark of 12.37m (40-07.00) was good for a third place finish. Junior Deandra Doyley at 12.21m (40-00.75), finished right behind Finch in fourth place.
Junior Cory Nelms ran the 400-meter dash for the second time this season and crossed the line at 49.97 seconds, the best-time by any Hurricane so far this season.
On the women’s side, sophomore Tameka Jameson won the 400-meter dash with a time of 55.43, her season’s-best time.
“I am very excited by the performances that Tameka Jameson, Ti’erra Brown and Cory Nelms had this weekend,” said Deem.
Another sophomore, Megan Novinger, has improved every week this season. She reached a career-indoor high of 1.70m (5-07.00) in the high jump and moved into third-place in the school record books..
Senior Andrew Chuplis ran a season-best time in the one-mile run in his third attempt of the season at 4:24.42. In the women’s mile, freshman Anna Bona also ran her season time at 5:16.88.
Both the 4×400-meter relay teams were in action on Saturday. The men ran a season-best time of 3:19.09, while the women finished at 3:45.80.
Next weekend, Feb. 13-14, the Hurricanes will take to the road to participate in the Texas A&M Invite. Later in the season, Texas A&M will host the NCAA Indoor Championships.
