Ahoure Named South Region Track Performer of the Year

June 8, 2009

CORAL GABLES – After claiming the 100 and 200-meter NCAA East Region Championships in Greensboro, N.C. on May 30, the University of Miami’s Murielle Ahoure has been named the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association South Region Track Performer of the Year.

Ahoure won the 100-meter regional title in record fashion as she crossed the line in 11.09 seconds, breaking the East Region and facility records in the process. The time currently holds as the second-best in the NCAA this season.

The 200-meter regional championship was won by the Bristow, Va. native in 23.09 seconds. However, Ahoure set her season and personal-best time in the preliminary heats with a time of 22.92 seconds, now standing at No. 6 in the nation.

The senior also anchored the women’s 4×100 relay team that placed third in Greensboro, advancing to the NCAA Championships with a season-best time of 44.16 seconds.

“This really means a lot,” said Ahoure. “Everything has fallen into place for me at Miami. I feel so blessed. I train with one of the best coaches in the world and I get to see one of my idols in Lauryn Williams everyday.”

In 2008, Miami’s Khadija Talley was named the Southeast Region’s Field Performer of the Year after a record-setting performance in the discus and shot put at the NCAA Southeast Regionals in Tallahassee, Fla.

Ahoure will be in action beginning this Wednesday, June 10 at the NCAA National Championships at the University of Arkansas’ John McDonnel Field in Fayetteville, Ark. A total of seven women competing in five different events will be in action for the 13th-ranked Hurricanes at the national championships throughout the week.