Track & Field / February 7, 2013

Miami T&F Ready for VT Elite Meet

BLACKSBURG, Va. — After a strong showing at the NewMexico Classic, Miami’s track and field program is back in action this weekend,competing in the Virginia Tech Invitational at Rector Field House.

The meet kicks off Friday at 5 p.m.ET, with the women’s mile run opening an extensive slate of running events.Day 1’s field events also start at 5 p.m., with the women’s long jump. Theaction starts again Saturday at 11 a.m. ET, with the women’s high jump.The first running event on Day 2 starts at 1 p.m., with the women’s distancemedley relay.

Miami’s women are led by some impressiveupperclassmen. Alaine Tate, who finished second in both the 600m and 800m aweek ago, will try to score her first victory in the 800m as a Hurricane. Thejunior transfer will also compete as part of the women’s 4x400m relay team.

After placing fourth in New Mexico inthe women’s triple jump with a mark of 40′ 9.75″, All-American Samantha Williamslooks to bounce back in Blacksburg. The senior, who focused solely on triplejump last week, will compete in the triple jump and long jump at Virginia Tech.

Senior Greg Kaczka is one of several maleathletes who are expected to shine this weekend. Kaczka, who ran aschool-record 4:08.22 mile last week, will compete in the men’s mile run andthe men’s distance medley relay.

Isaiah Simmons leads the men’s team inthe field events. The redshirt freshman has been outstanding all season in theshot put. Simmons broke Vince Wilfork’s nearly 12-year-old record in his firstcollegiate meet and secured his first career win in the shot put last week atthe New Mexico Classic. New Mexico. Simmons’ throw of 58′ 8″ travelednearly six feet further than last week’s second place finisher.

Freshman Duke Johnson who made hiscollegiate track debut last week in New Mexico, will try to build off his earlysuccess. A football standout, Johnson qualified for the 60m final, where heposted a time of 6.98 seconds. Johnson and fellow football star, PhillipDorsett, will both compete in the 60m dash at Virginia Tech.

Rector Field House hosts all of Virginia Tech’sindoor track meets. The facility features a 200-meter, Mondo-surfaced, banked track thatis one of the few of its kind in the U.S. This track consistently rates as oneof the fastest tracks in the country, thus making Rector Field House adestination for some of the top athletes in the world.

Men’s Entries

60m
PhillipDorsett
BassimEl-Sabawi
DukeJohnson
WilliamWaldon

200m
PhillipDorsett
BassimEl-Sabawi
TeQuilleJackson
WilliamWaldon

400m
DavinJohnson

800m
DouglasDourado

3000m
SeanPezzulo

5000m
SeanPezzulo

1 mile
LukeFontaine
GregKaczka

60m highhurdles
ChristianCook
TeQuilleJackson

4000m DMR
LukeFontaine
ChristianCook
DouglasDourado
GregKaczka

4X400m
JosephRyan
AnthonyWolliston
DavinJohnson
GarrettNygren

High Jump
John-PatrickFriday
InnocentJacob