Isaiah Simmons Sets UM Record at VT Elite
BLACKSBURG, Va. – The University of Miami track and field program wrapped its appearance at the Doc Hale VT Elite Meet with a record-setting performance.
Isaiah Simmons set a new school record in men’s shot put with a mark of 18.20m. The throw broke his previous record of 18.17m, set last season.
Simmons, who finished fourth in the men’s shot put, wrapped up an impressive weekend in which he also set the school record for men’s weight throw (17.91m).
“Isaiah had a big weekend for us,” Miami director of track and field/cross country Amy Deem said. “A school record last night followed by another school record and personal-best today.”
While Simmons set a pair of school records, he was not the only Miami thrower to shine on Saturday. Amber Monroe won the women’s shot put with a throw of 15.41m.
“I am very proud of Amber winning the shot,” Deem said. “She is very close to throwing much further.”
Freshman Gian Ragonesi finished eighth overall in the men’s shot put. Ragonesi’s mark of 16.42m was a personal-best and moved him into third place on Miami’s all-time list.
Freshman Shakima Wimbley placed third in the 200m and ran a personal-best time. The standout finished in 23.59 seconds, moving her to fifth on the school’s all-time list.
Sophomore Jamika Glades also ran a personal-best, placing fourth in the women’s 400m open section with a time of 55.85 seconds.
“We had a lot of personal bests today which is putting us in a strong position for a the ACC Championships at the end of February,” Deem said.
Other Canes who stood out on Saturday included Dakota Dailey-Harris. The sophomore finished sixth overall in the women’s high jump with a mark of 1.75m.
Sophomore Kelsey Balkwill and senior Alyssa McClure finished seventh and eighth, respectively, in the women’s 200m, while Phillip Dorsett placed seventh in the men’s 200m.
Anthonia Moore won her heat in the women’s 400m open section with a time of 56.48. The freshman would place 11th overall out of 22.
The Canes are back in action next weekend at the Don Kirby Elite Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M. The two-day meet will be Miami’s final primer before the ACC Indoor Championships beginning on Feb. 27.
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