@MiamiTrack Announces 2013-14 Newcomers
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami track and field program is pleased to announce its newcomers for the 2013-14 season.
The Canes add seven talented student-athletes to a talent-rich program, four women and three men. Miami director of track and field and cross country Amy Deem is excited about what the newest Hurricanes will add to the program.
Women
Courtney Kennedy, Fr., Throws (Orlando, Fla./Lake Nona HS)
Kennedy will compete in the throws for the Hurricanes. She was a state qualifier in the shot put at the 2A level. She has a personal-best mark in the shot put of 37’10. Kennedy is the daughter of Hurricane alum and Pro Football Hall of Famer Cortez Kennedy.
“Courtney is a very hard working, dedicated student-athlete,” Deem said. “She has a great upside and will continue to make vast improvements.”
Anthonia Moore, Fr., Middle Distance (Huntley, Ill./Huntley HS)
Moore will compete in the middle distances for Miami. A two-time state qualifier in the 400 meters for Huntley High School, Moore also competed in the 4×400 and 4×800 relays for her school and summer track club. She holds a personal best in the 400 meters of 56.42.
“Anthonia is young in the sport and we feel she has a big upside,” Deem said. “She focused more on the sprints in high school, but we look for her to contribute in the 400 and 800 as she gains more experience.”
Precious Ogunleye, Jr., Throws (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman Estates HS/UCF)
Ogunleye transfers to the Hurricanes from UCF. The junior has personal bests in the discus 47.75 (156’8), hammer 56.30 (184’8), shot put 15.17 (49’9.25) and weight throw 19.09 (62’7.75). The Illinois native qualified for the NCAA East Preliminary in the hammer and shot put in 2013 and discus and shot put in 2012. She was the 2013 Conference USA runner-up in the hammer throw and took third place in the shot put in 2012.
“Precious brings a wealth of knowledge and experience,” Deem said. “She has competed at a very high level and we are excited for her future as a Cane.”
Shakima Wimbley, Fr., Sprints (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard HS)
Wimbley, a sprinter at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., won the 2013 girls’ 400m at the Florida 3A State Championship. She shined at the 2012 BCAA Championships, winning the women’s 400m with a personal-best 53.67 and placing second in the women’s 200m in 23.98. She was the Florida 3A state runner up in the 400m in 2012. Wimbley has personal bests of 11.99 in the 100m, 23.73 in the 200m, 53.67 in the 400m and 18’ 2.75” in the long jump. She joins her former Dillard teammate, Jamika Glades, at the University of Miami.
“Shakima possesses great range in the sprints,” Deem said. “She will contribute immediately, not only to the 200 and 400, but also the relays. She has all the tools to be the next great sprinter at Miami.”
Men
Carlos Mangum, Fr., Throws (Providence, R.I./Central HS)
A standout thrower at Central High School in Providence, R.I., Mangum set a personal record of 75’ 5.5” in the weight throw at the 2013 New Balance Indoor Nationals, placing third in the event. Mangum ranked fourth among all U.S. high school hammer throwers and eighth among all U.S. weight throwers. Mangum has personal bests of 212’ 11” in the hammer throw, 155’ 4” in the javelin, 51’ 8.75” in the shot put and 75’ 5.5” in the weight throw.
“Carlos comes from a state that fortunately throws the hammer in high school, which gives him an advantage,” Deem said. “He has competed at some of the top meets in the country and will contribute right away.”
Daniel Polinski, Fr., Throws (Mississauga, Ontario/Philip Pocock CSS)
Polinski was the 2013 provincial champion in the shot put and discus. The talented thrower competed in the 2013 Pan Am Junior Competition in Columbia representing his native country of Canada in the shot put. He enters the University of Miami with personal bests of 19.07m (62’ 7.75”) in the shot put and 53.46m (175’ 5”) in the discus.
“Daniel has only been throwing for a few years and is new to the sport,” Deem said. “In his short time, he has made great strides and established himself as a top thrower.”
Gian Ragonesi, Fr., Throws (Madrid, Spain/Highlands School)
Ragonesi is a veteran of international competition. A native of Italy, he has attended schools in Peru, Mexico, Chile, and Spain. Ragonesi’s best performances are 18.69m (61’ 4”) in shot put and 53.20m (174’ 6”) in discus with the international junior implements. He competed at 2011 IAAF World Youth Championship finals in the shot put.
“Gian-Piero comes to Miami with experience in international meets around the world,” Deem said. “The experience and leadership he possesses will pay huge dividends towards the success of our team.”
In addition to the seven newcomers, a pair of freshman football players ranked among the best in the country as high school track athletes.
Artie Burns, Fr., Hurdles (Miami, Fla./Northwestern HS)
Burns was a three-time Florida State 3A 110m hurdle champion for Miami Northwestern High School. He holds personal best marks of 13.35 in 110m hurdles, 36.06 for 300m hurdles, 51.89 for 400m hurdles and 47.36 for 400m. Burns also won the 300m hurdles at the 2013 3A State Meet. He had the fastest 110m and 300m hurdles times in the nation during his junior season at Northwestern.
Walter Tucker, Fr., Hurdles (Miami, Fla./American Heritage School)
Tucker is a two-time Florida State 2A 110m hurdle champion for American Heritage School. He holds personal best times of 13.83 in the 110m hurdles and 38.02 in the 300m hurdles. He was the 2013 2A State runner-up in the 300m hurdles. Tucker finished his senior season ranked No. 11 in the nation in the 110m hurdles.
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.
