Canes Track Excels at Miami Invite
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami track and field program had a successful showing at the Miami Invitational Saturday.
Miami’s hurdlers shined as freshmen Jamika Glades and Alexis Wright finished first and second, respectively, in the women’s 100m hurdles. Glades was the only competitor to break the 14 second mark, finishing in 13.83 seconds. Wright followed her, running a personal best 14.56 seconds. Glades also won the women’s 400m hurdles with a time of 58.95 seconds, a personal best.
“One of the most impressive things today was three outdoor races and three personal bests for Jamika Glades,” said Amy Deem, Miami’s director of track and field and cross country. “She had a PR in the 100m hurdles and big opener in the 400m hurdles. I’m really impressed with that.”
Three Hurricanes finished in the Top 3 in the men’s 400m hurdles. Christian Cook (55.96) won the event, with Tequille Jackson (58.64) and Garrett Nygren (59.44) finishing second and third, respectively. Jackson also finished fourth in the men’s 110m hurdles with a time of 14.51 seconds. Former Miami standout Devon Hill placed second, finishing in 13.52 seconds.
The Canes’ throwers also had a strong showing. Isaiah Simmons won the men’s shot put with a throw of 54’ 5.25”. The redshirt freshman also won men’s discus with a throw of 156’ 11”.
On the women’s side, Amber Monroe won the shot put with a personal best throw of 43’ 1.75”. The sophomore also won the women’s discus with a throw of 161’ 9”.
Lea Johnson finished second in the women’s hammer throw covering a distance of 173’ 3”, a personal best. Johnson also placed third in the women’s javelin with a throw of 92’ 10”.
“Isaiah and Lea are getting personal records every week,” Deem said. “It’s good to see them continue to improve.”
The jumpers had a good day at Cobb Stadium as freshman John-Patrick Friday won the men’s high jump, clearing 6’ 6”, while Dakota Dailey-Harris won the women’s high jump, clearing 5’ 5”. Freshman Alexis Wright won the women’s triple jump covering 36’ 11.75”.
Timothy Richardson won the men’s triple jump, with a personal best jump of 49’ 1.5”, while John-Patrick Friday finished third (46’ 9”) and Richard Tema placed fifth with a personal best of 46’ 2.5”. Tema also finished third in the men’s long jump, clearing 20’ 1.75”.
“I think a win goes a long way for the confidence of an athlete,” Deem said. “To come out and win helps boost your confidence and get you ready for the rest of the season.”
Miami’s runners also had a successful day on the track. Senior Greg Kaczka won the men’s 800m to pick up his first career victory. Kaczka, who finished in a personal best 1:54.31, was one of two Hurricanes to finish in the Top 3. Douglas Dourado placed third with a time of 1:55.97.
Lindsi Arrington and Alaine Tate finished first and third, respectively in the women’s 1500m. Arrington turned in a time of 4:41.42 while Tate finished in 4:47.62.
Miami had three women finish in the Top 4 of the 400m dash. Sophomore Taneisha Cordell led the trio, finishing second with a time of 56.46 seconds. Junior Alyssa McClure placed third (57.04) and sophomore Jokira Jiles finished fourth (58.09).
Freshman Bert Irigoyen placed fourth in the men’s 1500m with a time of 4:09.95. Freshman Bryce McConville and sophomore Sean Pezzulo earned Top 10 finishes with McConville placing 9th in 4:17.31 and Pezzulo 10th with a time of 4:18.90.
“If we want to get our program where we want to be, we need freshmen to step up and put pressure on everybody,” Deem said. “Competition makes you better so if you’re out here and you don’t have anyone pushing you, then you have to be self-motivated. We’re better because we have everyone pushing each other.”
Miami alums Dominique Darden and Lauryn Williams were two of the four members of the Speed Divas 4x100m relay team. Williams, the Olympic gold medalist, anchored the Speed Divas 4x100m relay to a time of 45.08 seconds.
Williams also won the women’s 200m dash with a time of 22.69 seconds. Darden placed sixth (24.41) and sophomore Shannon Wright finished seventh (24.92).
The Hurricanes ran two teams in the women’s 4x400m relay. Miami ‘A’ placed second with a time of 3:45.05 and Miami ‘B’ finished fourth with a time of 3:50.80. The men’s 4x400M relay team finished first with a time of 3:19.14.
Kelly Williamson finished fourth in the women’s 800m with a time 2:26.61 and Jasmyne King finished sixth in the women’s 100m dash with a time of 12.3 seconds. Taylor Votek placed fourth in the women’s 3000m with a time of 11:20.03.
Sophomore Anthony Wolliston placed fourth in the men’s 200m with a personal best of 21.85 seconds, while freshman Joseph Ryan (22.53) and junior William Waldon (23.54) each placed in the top 20.
“The goal was to get a lot done this weekend, be home and have some good competition,” Deem said. “I though we did that.”
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