Miami Meets Qualifying Standards in Three Events at Florida Relays
April 4, 2009
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – After three 400-meter hurdlers grabbed regional qualifying times yesterday, juniors Mikese Morse, Kristy Whyte and the women’s 4×400 relay claimed three more on the final day of the Florida Relays at the University of Florida’s James G. Pressly Stadium at Percy Beard Track.
Morse, already the owner of Miami’s indoor long jump record (7.90m, 25-11.00) nearly added another school record to his Hurricane resume. In Saturday’s triple jump, the Tampa native reached a mark of 15.22m (49-11.25), claiming the program’s No. 2 all-time mark. In the first meet of the season, the Hurricane Invitational, Morse claimed his first regional qualifying mark in the long jump at 7.62m (25-00.00).
“Mikese is getting better and better,” said Director of Track and Field Amy Deem. “The triple jump is a new event for him and he is starting to get his rhythm.”
For the 16th-ranked women, Whyte was the third collegiate runner to cross the finish line in a regional qualifying time of 23.90 seconds in her first attempt in the 200-meter dash of the season. Whyte is the defending ACC Outdoor Champion in both the 100 and 200-meters and was the 2008 ACC Performer of the Year.
The women’s 4×400 relay team of Whyte, Ti’erra Brown, Krista Simkins and Tameka Jameson raced to the best time of the season and met a regional qualifying time as the third collegiate team to finish at 3:36.67.
“I am really excited about how the relay performed in their first time out,” said Deem. “Krista ran a strong leg and I think it was great for her confidence.”
In the 5,000-meter run, Emma Steppe (18:15.45) of the women’s team and Charles Michel (15:50.25) on the men’s side both ran the fastest times of any Hurricane so far this season in the event.
The Hurricanes will host the prestigious Miami Elite on Saturday, April 11. The annual one-day meet features some of the world’s best athletes as well as several collegiate track programs.
