Miami Track & Field Ready for Florida Relays
April 5, 2012
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Miami men’s and women’s track and field teams travel upstate to Gainesville this weekend for the 2012 Florida Relays at James G. Pressley Stadium. This annual stop for the Canes is a two-day meet in which the first day contains all individual races and the second is comprised of relays.
Senior All-American Devon Hill will look to keep his momentum going in the 110-meter hurdles after running the fastest non-wind-aided time in the country last week, winning the Jim Click Shoot Out in 13.51, a new personal-best. Joined by freshman hurdler Christian Cook, the duo will compete in both hurdle distances, as each make their season debuts in the 400-meter hurdles. Also making outdoor debuts in the 400-meter hurdles will be sophomore All-ACC performer Thandi Stewart and freshman Kelsey Balkwill.
Senior ACC-Champion Tarika Williams will make her individual race appearance as she lines up in the 100 meters on Friday. Sophomore Bassim El-Sabawi will run the men’s equivalent of the race.
“We’re excited to see Tarika start her season on the way to ACC’s,” said Head Coach Amy Deem. “And with Thandi Stewart opening up in the 400-meter hurdles, it’s good to have both of those ladies back on the track for us.”
School record holder Connor Adams will contest the 1500 meters alongside junior Greg Kaczka. On the women’s side, Lindsi Arrington will look to improve on her personal-best in the event set last week in Arizona.
Also competing on the track on Friday will be Shannon Wright in the 400 meters, Jennifer Estime and Taneisha Cordell in the 800 meters, JaCee Jarnagin in the 5000 meters and Nicole Cummings and Rachel Dupree in the 100-meter hurdles.
Leading the Canes in the field events will be All-ACC performers Innocent Jacob in the long jump and Miranda Wilson in discus and hammer throws. Joining Jacob in the long jump will be senior Jason Johnson and senior Ashley Holmes and freshman Amber Monroe will join Wilson. Holmes will also compete in the shot put. In the women’s long jump, the Canes will be represented by sophomore Nicole Cummings and junior Samantha Williams.
“I really like what the Florida Staff has done with the meet, especially how they have all the individual events on Friday and all the relay events on Saturday.” commented Deem “The format really allows coaches to accomplish something with their athletes early in the season.”
On Saturday, Miami will field teams in the men’s and women’s 4×100, 4×400 and Sprint Medley relays, as well as the men’s Distance Medley relay.
The action starts Friday at Noon with the women’s Discus. For all of the latest news on your Miami Hurricanes visit HurricaneSports.com.
