Track & Field / April 12, 2013

Miami Track Hosts Alumni Invitational

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami track and field program is set to host its final home meet of the 2013 outdoor season Saturday, the Hurricane Alumni Invitational.

Miami will welcome back all track and field alumni, including Olympic gold medalist Lauryn Williams, Olympian T’erea Brown and standouts Dominique Darden and Devon Hill.

“It is always exciting when the alumni come back,” said Miami director of track and field and cross country, Amy Deem. “Even if they don’t compete, we have a ton of athletes who come back and watch the meet so it is always good to see them. Lauryn Williams will be back on the track; Dominique Darden will be back on the track and Devon Hill. Some of our former athletes that are still competing will be here and then also a lot of athletes just come back to say hello and watch the meet and support the Canes.”

The Canes will also honor their senior athletes at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational in a ceremony scheduled for 4:40 p.m. Saturday. All-American jumper Samantha Williams and sprinter Elyse Houston are the two seniors being honored from the women’s team, while standout distance runner Greg Kaczka will be honored from the men’s team.

Williams will compete for the final time at Cobb Stadium as a Hurricane in both the women’s long jump and triple jump. A second team indoor All-American this year, Williams has been a standout for the Canes since she arrived on campus for her junior season. The Jamaica native set personal bests that season in the long jump (6.07m) and triple jump (13.43). Williams, who placed ninth in the women’s triple jump at this year’s NCAA Indoor Championships, hopes to reach the NCAA Outdoor Championships in her final season.

Houston will also make her final appearance as a Cane in the women’s long jump. The senior from Wesley Chapel, Fla., has competed in the 100m and 200m, as well as the long jump, for the Hurricanes. Houston will try to surpass her personal best in the long jump (5.44m) in her final home meet in Coral Gables.

Kaczka will not compete at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational. The senior is resting before next weekend’s ACC Outdoor Championships, but he will be at Cobb Stadium supporting his teammates. A native of Glen Allen, Va., Kaczka set a Miami record in the mile (4:08.22) at the New Mexico Classic this season. He also broke Miami’s record in the 1500m last weekend at the Florida Relays, posting a time of 3:50.51. At the Miami Invitational, Kaczka posted a personal-best 1:54.31 in the men’s 800m to earn his first career win.

Coach Deem is looking forward to seeing how the seniors and their Miami teammates perform in their final home meet of the season.

“Our athletes love to perform at home,” Deem said. “They love to perform in front of family and friends. But I just want to see us really sharpening up and getting ready because we leave Wednesday for ACCs.”

For all the latest information on the Miami Hurricanes, follow the official Twitter feed, @HurricaneSports, or “Like Us” on Facebook at facebook.com/MiamiHurricanes. Follow @MiamiTrack on Twitter for specific news on UM track and field and cross country.

Women’s Entries

100m HH 
Alexis Wright

200m 
Alyssa McClure
Shannon Wright
Kelsey Balkwill

400m 
Kelly Williamson

800m 
Alaine Tate
Taneisha Cordell
Lindsi Arrington

4x100m
Jasmyne King
Jokira Jiles
Alyssa McClure
Kelsey Balkwill

4x400m 
Jasmyne King
Kelsey Balkwill
Jokira Jiles
Shannon Wright

3000m
Taylor Votek

Shot put 
Amber Monroe

Discus 
Amber Monroe

Hammer 
Amber Monroe
Lea Johnson

Triple Jump 
Alexis Wright
Samantha Williams