Allen: Standout On and Off the Track

In celebration of BlackHistory Month, HurricaneSports.com will highlight several African-Americanstudent-athletes that left their mark on the University of Miami. Our nextprofile focuses on Patrina Allen, who was a standout hurdler for Miami’s track andfield program.

Patrina Allen always made an impact on others.

It began at Palm Beach Lakes High School, whereAllen carried her track and field teammates to a pair of state championshipsand was named the PalmBeach County Female Athlete of the Year in 1994.

Allen’s success continued atthe University of Miami, where she became a six-time All American. She is theonly Hurricane to earn All-American honors in four different events: the55-meter hurdles, 100-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles and the 4×100-meterrelay. 

A 2012 inductee into the University of MiamiSports Hall of Fame, Allenwas an impact athlete from the minute she stepped on the track at Cobb Stadium.She is the only Hurricane to earn three All-American honors as a freshman. Inher illustrious career, Allen also won six BIG EAST outdoor titles, more thanany other Cane, including three consecutive 400-meter hurdles titles from 1996to 1998.

After graduating from the University of Miami, Allen participated in two Olympics for hernative country, Jamaica, competing in the 400-meter hurdles in Sydney in 2000and Athens in 2004. Allen credits her work with legendary UM track Coach AmyDeem for the hours Deem invested to train her to become a world-classhurdler.

Allen graduated from theUniversity of Miami with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing(BSN) and works as an intensive care nurse. Allen is married to3-time Canadian Olympic sprinter and former Hurricanes assistant trackcoach, Atlee Mahorn. They have three children, Cameron, Ashley andJayden.  She also enjoys her volunteer work at the Oasis CompassionAgency, helping the needy of Palm Beach County.