@MiamiTrack Excels at VT Elite Meet
BLACKSBURG, Va. – The University of Miami track and field program started strong at the Doc Hale VT Elite Meet.
There were successful performances by student-athletes on both the men’s and women’s teams as Isaiah Simmons set a school record in the men’s weight throw and Shakima Wimbley earned a victory for the third consecutive meet.
“We had very good performances tonight,” Miami director of track and field/cross country Amy Deem said. “Shakima continues to run well. She knows she has to run better from the front, which will come as she matures. “
Wimbley finished first in the women’s 400m with a time of 53.78 seconds, while redshirt sophomore Kelsey Balkwill ran a personal-best 54.40 to place second and give Miami a 1-2 finish in the event.
“Kelsey ran a lifetime best and I am confident she will run faster at ACCs in a few weeks,” Deem said.
On the men’s side, Simmons placed ninth in the weight throw with a mark of 17.91m. Simmons’ mark set a school record, while teammates Carlos Mangum (17.25m) and Gian Ragonesi (16.44m) moved into second and third place, respectively, in UM history.
“The men’s weight throwers rewrote the record books tonight and I am extremely excited about their future,” Deem said.
The women’s weight throw also proved successful as Precious Ogunleye finished third with a mark of 19.94m, while Lea Johnson placed fifth with a mark of 19.02m.
“Precious showed continued improvement and a competitive spirit in a great weight throw competition.”
The Canes had three student-athletes qualify for the 60m hurdles final. Artie Burns led the group, running a personal-best 7.80 to finish second while posting the second-fastest in school history.
Junior Christian Cook placed fifth with a time of 8.05 and sophomore TeQuille Jackson finished sixth with a time of 8.06. Cook, who ran a personal-best 7.82 in prelims, now holds the third-best time in UM history.
“Our men’s hurdlers ran exceptionally well tonight,” Deem said. “Artie and Christian have put themselves in position to qualify for the NCAA Championships next month.”
Sophomore Jamika Glades qualified for the women’s 60m hurdles, where she placed eighth with a time of 8.55 seconds.
Phillip Dorsett won his heat in the men’s 60m dash with a time 6.87. The junior advanced to the finals where he placed sixth (6.90). Dorsett also shined in the men’s long jump, placing fifth with a mark of 7.29m.
Seniors Alyssa McClure and Alaine Tate each earned a Top 5 finish in their respective event. McClure placed fifth in the women’s 60m with a time of 7.59 seconds, while Tate finished fourth in the women’s 800m with a time of 2:10.41.
Three other men earned Top 10 finishes as Anthony Wolliston finished sixth in the 400m, TeQuille Jackson placed seventh in the 200m with a time of 21.77 and Bassim El-Sabawi finished eighth in the 200m with a time of 22.05.
The Canes return Saturday to Rector Field House where competition is set to begin at 11 a.m. with the women’s high jump.
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