Hurricanes Position Themselves for Final Day of ACC Championships
April 17, 2009
CORAL GABLES – The University of Miami men’s and women’s track and field teams have set themselves up for a strong finish Saturday at the Atlantic Coast Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The final day of the three-day will get under way at noon at UM’s Cobb Stadium on Saturday.
With the second fastest time in school history, behind only Lauryn Williams in the 100-meter dash, Murielle Ahoure advanced to Saturday’s final with a time of 11.34 seconds. The three-time All-American followed that feat with a 22.98 second performance in the 200-meter dash. Both showings were regional qualifying times in her first attempt at an outdoor individual event as a Hurricane.
Kristy Whyte finished right behind Ahoure in both events. The Pembroke Pines, Fla. native and 2008 ACC Outdoor Performer of the Year, raced to new career-highs in both the 100 and 200-meter dashes to join Ahoure in the finals. In the 100-meters, Whyte won her preliminary heat with a time of 11.56 seconds, while her time of 23.38 seconds was the third fastest time of the prelims. Whyte also punched her ticket to the NCAA South Regionals with her performances.
“Kristy and Murielle were very solid in their openers,” said Director of Track and Field Amy Deem. “They were very impressive and I’m looking forward to see what happens tomorrow.”
The 100-meter final is set to begin at 5:20 p.m. and the 200-meter final will start at 6:20 p.m. Both Ahoure and Whyte are expected to participate in the 4×100-meter relay as well at 4 p.m.
Sophomore Deandra Doyley and freshman Brittni Finch both put in all-ACC performances, placing second and third respectively in the women’s long jump. Both women smashed their previous personal-bests in the event. Doyley leapt 6.35m (20-10.00) while Finch reached a mark of 6.20m (20-04.25). Doyley’s mark also put her in a tie for fifth place with Tabia Charles on the school’s all-time list.
“I am very pleased how Deandra and Britney opened the day for us,” said Deem. “It was good to see Deandra jump the way she has, she is beginning to show what she is capable of.”
Men’s hurdlers Cory Nelms and Devon Hill used season-best times in their preliminary heats of the 110-meter hurdles to advance into tomorrow’s final. Nelms improved in his previous regional qualifying time with the fastest prelim time of the meet at 14.15. Hill crossed the line at 14.33.
Both men also will compete for a conference championship in the 400-meter hurdles. Nelms’ time of 52.80 and Hill’s personal-best 53.40 ensure that the Hurricanes will be the only squad with multiple student athletes in the 6:10 p.m. final.
“Cory and Davon really showed great effort in reaching the finals in both hurdle events this afternoon,” added Deem.
Freshman Britney Clark was the first woman to score for the Hurricanes this weekend. The multi-event athlete, moved into fifth place all-time in the heptathlon on the school’s all-time list. Her 4,502 points passes teammate Rachel Dupree on the list for the fifth spot.
400-meter hurdlers, Tameka Jameson and Ti’erra Brown will join each other in the Saturday’s 6 p.m. final, after running times of 58.73 and 58.76 respectively in their preliminary heats.
“Like the men, Tameka and Ti’erra had a good effort in the prelims,” said Deem. “But it is a very talented field, we are looking for them to step up tomorrow.”
Nathan Gholston’s new personal-best time of 11.05 seconds earned him a spot in the final heat of the 100-meter dash. The sophomore will look to pick up team points, with the final set to start at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
In his final ACC Championship, senior Patrick O’Donnell crossed the finish line in 1:51.99 in the 800-meter run. He will appear in the finals of the event at 5:50 p.m.
The ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be free to the public on Saturday. Spectator entrances will be located along the west side of Cobb Stadium along San Amaro Drive. The official schedule of events and other information is located on the ACC Track and Field Championships website.
For fans that are unable to attend, live results will be available and ACC Select.com will stream the event online live from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday.
