Cordell, Newman Set @MiamiTrack Records
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Miami track and field program opened the Rod McCravy Memorial Meet with a record-setting day.
Taneisha Cordell and Alysha Newman led the Hurricanes to a strong start at Nutter Field House.
Cordell started Miami’s day with an excellent performance in the women’s 600-yard run. The junior posted a personal-best time of 1:22.67, winning the event and setting a new school record.
Newman made a major impact in her Hurricane debut. The sophomore cleared her opening height in the woman’s pole vault with a jump of 3.88m, setting a new school record.
But Newman was far from done there. The Canadian climbed to the top of the podium, winning the woman’s pole vault in 4.31m and setting a University of Miami and meet record. Newman’s mark is also the best in the country this season.
“Alysha opened up with close to her personal-best and a mark that is currently leading the NCAA,” Miami director of track & field/cross country Amy Deem said.
Freshman Shakima Wimbley continued her success on the track, earning a win in the women’s 200m dash with a time of 23.82.
“Taneisha and Shakima are getting better every week and ran extremely well today on the relay,” Deem said.
Throwers Precious Ogunleye and Lea Johnson both set personal-bests in the women’s weight throw. Ogunleye, who placed fourth, tossed the weight 19.83m – third best in school history. Johnson, who finished seventh, moved into fourth place in Miami history with her throw of 19.05m.
Gian Ragonesi made his collegiate debut in the men’s weight throw, with a mark of 14.53m. The freshman, who placed 16th, posted the second-best men’s weight throw mark in UM history.
Sophomore Timothy Richardson finished sixth in the men’s long jump with a mark of 7.18m.
John-Patrick Friday finished fourth in the men’s high jump, clearing 1.99m, while fellow sophomore Dakota Dailey-Harris tied for seventh in the women’s high jump, clearing 1.67m.
Miami had two men finish in the top 10 of the 600-yard run. Junior Douglas Dourado placed sixth with a time of 1:15.29, while senior Garrett Nygren finished 10th with a time of 1:19.15. Dourado’s time ranks third in school history, while Nygren’s is fourth-best in the history of Miami track & field.
Luke Fontaine finished ninth in the men’s 5000m run with a time of 15:17.19, while TeQuille Jackson placed 10th in the men’s 200m with a personal-best time of 22.15 seconds.
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