@MiamiTrack Wins Four Events at Penn State
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The University of Miami track and field program kicked off the 2014 indoor season with a strong showing at the Nittany Lion Challenge.
The Canes had several student-athletes who earned victories and found their way into the school’s record book.
Amber Monroe opened the 2014 season with personal-best and a victory in the women’s shot put. Monroe’s throw of 15.75m ranks third all-time in UM history.
“Amber has been working hard and it was great to see that hard work pay off with a win and lifetime best in the shot,” Miami director of track & field/cross country Amy Deem said.
Precious Ogunleye also had a solid showing in shot put, placing third with a mark of 13.75m, but the junior made her biggest impact in the women’s weight throw. Ogunleye posted a personal-best mark of 19.07m, moving her into fourth place in Miami history. Lea Johnson also had a solid start to her season, placing fifth in the event with a mark of 17.75m.
“Precious started us off with a win and personal-best in the weight throw,” Deem said. “That set the tone for a great season opener.”
Shakima Wimbley started her collegiate career with a victory, taking first place in the women’s 400m dash. The freshman posted a time of 53.78 seconds in her first race as a Hurricane while teammates Kelsey Balkwill (fourth, 55.24) and Shannon Wright (seventh, 56.89) also finished in the Top 10 in the race.
“Shakima had a strong performance in her first indoor meet,” Deem said. “I think she handled herself well and will continue to improve as the season progresses.”
The women’s 4x400m relay teams both earned Top 5 finishes. Jamika Glades, Taneisha Cordell, Balkwill and Wimbley finished in 3:38.66 to take home a victory. Shannon Wright, Morgan McClure, Anthonia Moore and Jasmyne King placed fifth with a time of 3:47.99.
“I challenged our 4×400 before they ran to take ownership in this relay,” Deem said. “We have underachieved the past few years and our staff really felt this is the group that can get it done.”
Beyond the aforementioned winners, Miami’s women had several other who shined at the Nittany Lion Challenge.
The Canes had a trio of women excel in the 60m hurdles. Glades led the group with a third place finish (8.49), while freshmen Lateisha Philson (fifth, 8.60) and Kayann Richards (seventh, 8.65) also qualified for the final. Philson also placed fifth in the women’s 200m with a time of 25.20.
Lindsi Arrington opened the season with a pair of Top 10 finishes. The senior placed fourth in the women’s 3000m with a time of 10:05.73 and ninth in the women’s mile with a time of 4:59.54.
Seniors Alyssa McClure and Alaine Tate earned Top 10 finsihes. McClure placed third in the women’s 60m dash with a time of 7.57 seconds, while Tate finished sixth in the women’s 600m with a time of 1:33.60. Junior Taneisha Cordell also secured a Top 10 finish in the women’s 800m, placing third with a time of 2:09.80.
Dakota Dailey-Harris finished third in the women’s high jump, clearing 1.69m, while fellow freshman Alexis Wright placed seventh in the women’s triple jump with a mark of 11.49m.
On the men’s side, Freshman Gian Ragonesi placed third in men’s shot put with a mark of 15.93m, while sophomore Isaiah Simmons finished seventh with a mark of 14.42m. Ragonesi’s throw helped him join Simmons on Miami’s all-time shot put list. The freshman now ranks fourth, while Simmons set Miami’s indoor record with a throw of 18.17m a year ago.
Seniors Luke Fontaine and Sean Pezzulo turned in Top 10 finishes in the men’s 3000m. Fontaine placed fifth with a time of 8:38.05, while Pezzulo crossed the finish line eighth with a time of 8:56.54.
Miami’s men placed fifth in the 4x400m relay as Jackson, El-Sabawi, Joseph Ryan and Anthony Wolliston combined to finish in 3:17.93.
Sophomore TeQuille Jackson placed seventh in the men’s 60m hurdles, finishing in 8.11 seconds, while senior Bassim El-Sabawi placed ninth in the men’s 200m with a time of 22.24 seconds. Sophomore John-Patrick Friday finished sixth in the men’s high jump with a mark of 2.02m.
“Today was an excellent season opener for us,” Deem said. “I am very proud of how hard our team competed.”
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