Wimbley Named ACC Freshman of the Year
GREENSBORO, N.C. – After a sensational collegiate debut, Miami’s Shakima Wimbley was recognized Friday as the 2014 ACC Women’s Indoor Freshman of the Year.
Wimbley is the first Hurricane to win ACC Freshman of the Year. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native made a huge impact from the moment she hit the track for the Hurricanes this season.
“It’s a great feeling,” Wimbley said. “I didn’t plan for all of this to happen so fast, but I am very happy and grateful that it did. This shows me that when you work hard and don’t give up that anything is possible.”
Wimbley earned two victories in her first collegiate meet, winning the 400m and anchoring Miami’s 4x400m relay to victory at the Nittany Lion Challenge. A few days later, the fantastic freshman was named the ACC Performer of the Week, the first of many accolades Wimbley would earn in her first collegiate indoor season.
Wimbley, who was a standout in the 200m, 400m and as the anchor leg in Miami’s 4x400m relay, joined the likes of Olympians Lauryn Williams and Murielle Ahoure when she blazed down the track at the Don Kirby Elite Invitational on Feb. 27. Wimbley’s personal-best time of 23.56 seconds moved her into fifth place on Miami’s all-time women’s indoor 200m list. It also was the fastest time in the ACC during the 2014 indoor season.
The Don Kirby Elite Invitational was also the site of Wimbley’s best 400m time. The freshman won the 400m with a personal-best time of 53.68 seconds, securing her third victory in the event this season.
Wimbley entered the 2014 ACC Indoor Championships as one of the hottest freshman in the conference. At the conclusion of the three-day meet, she proved herself as one of the top runners in the ACC. Wimbley claimed the 200m title and anchored Miami’s 4x400m relay to a gold medal finish.
The freshman was one of five Miami student-athletes to qualify for the 2014 NCAA Indoor Championships, where she earned second team All-America honors in the 200m.
“I’m very proud of how Shakima performed this season,” Miami director of track and field/cross country Amy Deem said. “To go into the indoor season having never run indoors and come out with lifetime personal-bests gave her a lot of confidence and determination heading into the outdoor season.”
After a successful indoor campaign, the Canes open the 2014 outdoor season this weekend at the Hurricane Invitational. Action begins Friday at 2 p.m. with the javelin, while the running events are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. with the men’s 5000m. Saturday’s field events begin at 1 p.m. with the women’s discus, the men’s shot put and the men’s long jump. The final day’s running events also begin at 1 p.m. with the men’s 4x100m relay.
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.
