Path to Nationals: Shakima Wimbley
By David Villavicencio
Path to Nationals is a five-part feature series profiling the five student-athletes who will represent the University of Miami track and field program at the 2014 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Championships.
Shakima Wimbley entered the 2014 season with a lot of expectations.
A standout at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Wimbley had a knack for stepping up in big moments. She won the state championship in the 400m as a senior and placed third in the 200m. Wimbley also ran her best times in big meets, running personal-bests in both the 400m and 200m at the Broward County Championships.
The fantastic freshman came to Miami as one of the top runners in the country and has lived up to her billing.
“I always dreamed of being one of the best,” Wimbley said. “I thought I could be one day, but I didn’t expect it to happen so fast. I always work hard, stay focused and go after my goals.”
Wimbley earned a gold medal in the women’s 200m at the ACC Indoor Championships with a time of 23.58 seconds. But the 200m flat track at Clemson University allowed for the time to be converted due to track size. Wimbley’s converted time of 23.22 seconds ranks ninth in the country, qualifying her for the NCAA Indoor Championships.
“I felt I had a chance at being one of the top runners in the ACC,” Wimbley said. “But as far as making it to nationals, I didn’t know if I could. I have worked hard and Coach Deem told me that I have the talent, I’m blessed and I had a chance. I listened to her advice and kept going. I went after it.”
Listening to Miami director of track and field/cross country Amy Deem has been one of the best decisions Wimbley has made as a runner. Deem, who was the head coach of Team USA for the 2012 Summer Olympics, has helped many track athletes reach the peak of their sport.
“She’s made one of the biggest progressions I’ve ever had in coaching,” Deem said. “She’s worked hard so that hasn’t been the issue, but she’s a very coachable young lady and she absorbs everything and she really wants to be good. She listens and she tries and she trusts and that’s a big thing. If you believe in what you’re doing and you believe in your coaches, you make a bigger transition. A lot of athletes come in with a lot of success and aren’t open to change and a new system. She’s just been a sponge where she’s absorbing it and she’s had success in things that she’s trying so it’s made it a lot easier.”
Working with Deem has been a pleasure for Wimbley. The freshman feels like Miami’s director of track and field has helped her develop physically and mentally.
“It’s been awesome to work with her,” Wimbely said. “She teaches me a lot and she knows a lot. It’s almost like how she trains me is perfect for me. Her workouts are great. She has built my strength and has helped me a lot with my confidence. She is an awesome coach.”
Wimbley’s development as an indoor runner has been impressive. Deem knew the talented freshman had the ability, but lacked the experience of running on an indoor track.
“She’s really stepped up and had success indoors,” Deem said. “I thought she would struggle a little more indoors than she has just because she hadn’t done it but it’s really put her confidence in a great place to go outdoors where she’s more comfortable.”
Stepping up is an understatement. Wimbley was named ACC Performer of the Week following her first indoor track meet of the 2014 season. At the Nittany Lion Invitational, she won the 400m and anchored Miami’s 4x400m relay to victory.
Wimbley continued her success throughout the season, entering the 2014 ACC Indoor Championships undefeated in the 400m. She then proceeded to win the 200m title and anchor Miami’s 4x400m relay to a gold medal.
“Ability wise, she’s been extremely blessed and she has the desire to be great,” Deem said. “You put that combination together and I think she has a tremendous upside and I think there’s no cap for her at this point.”
That combination is a big reason why Wimbley has been able to carve a spot for herself in an elite field of runners who will race for the chance to be crowned the 2014 NCAA Indoor Champion in the 200m despite it not being her best event.
“My best event and my favorite event is the 400m,” Wimbley said. “But I love the 200m almost as much as I love the 400m now so I like both. I’ve been running the 400m since I was small so that’s the race I fell in love with.”
Wimbley runs the 400m, the 200m and anchors Miami’s 4x400m relay. But the freshman will only have to worry about one event when she hits the track in Albuquerque, N.M., at 10:15 ET on March 14.
“It will be much easier for me,” Wimbley said. “I feel that my 200 time will drop a lot because usually I run the 400 first and then the 200. But now I just have one event so I will have fresh legs and a clear mind. I’ll be ready to go.”
Wimbley’s preparation leading up to this NCAA Indoor Championships is focused on getting her ready physically and mentally. The stellar freshman believes that preparation will help her eliminate any nerves heading into the biggest meet of her collegiate career.
“I don’t feel like nationals is the time to be nervous,” Wimbley said. “You make it that far and you go out there and have fun and you run as hard as you can and whatever happens happens. Getting to nationals is a great thing so I’m not nervous at all. I just want to do the best I can.”
For all the latest information on the Miami Hurricanes, follow the official Twitter feed, @HurricaneSports, or “Like Us” on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MiamiHurricanes. Follow @MiamiTrack on Twitter for specific news on UM track and field and cross country. For the most accurate and up to date information delivered to your phone, download the official Miami Hurricanes app for your Droid or iPhone.
