@MiamiTrack Shines at Miami Invitational
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami track and field program won 13 events at the 2014 Miami Invitational.
The Canes had double-digit wins for the second straight week after claiming 13 victories at last week’s Hurricane Invitational.
“I’m really pleased with our attitude and our effort,” Miami director of track and field/cross country Amy Deem said. “I really think we are competing well and with confidence. I hope we take that moving forward into the next few weeks.”
Miami’s women won nine events, including the 4x400m relay. Anthonia Moore, Taneisha Cordell, Thandi Stewart and Shannon Wright combined for a season-best time of 3:38.45.
Amber Monroe won the women’s discus with a throw of 51.10m and finished first in the women’s shot put with a mark of 15.40m. Lea Johnson finished second in the women’s hammer throw with a mark of 59.41m that ranks second in UM history.
Shakima Wimbley won the women’s 200m with a personal-best time of 23.33 seconds. Joining Wimbley in the top five were Alyssa McClure (third, 23.99) and Shannon Wright (fourth, 24.27).
Jamika Glades (13.41) and Kayann Richards (13.67) finish 1-2 in the women’s 100m hurdles. Glades also won the women’s 400m hurdles with a time of 59.21 seconds.
“I was very pleased with Amber and Shakima, but I was really happy to see Jamika Glades step up and win both hurdles,” Deem said. “That was a big run for her in the 100m hurdles. She kind of struggled at the end in the 60m hurdles, so to see her step up there was big.”
Lindsi Arrington won the women’s 1500m with a time of 4:34.44. The senior also finished first in the women’s 3000m with a time of 10:27.62.
“I am happy to Lindsi have success,” Deem said. “It’s her senior year and she has worked so hard. She has always brought such a positive attitude to the program, so I am really excited for her.”
Alysha Newman was Miami’s final winner on the women’s side, finishing first in the pole vault. Coming from a short approach, the sophomore battled tough wins to clear 4.00m. Newman’s mark set a new Miami record, passing Lauren Koutrelakos’s mark of 3.25m that was set April 13, 2002.
Miami’s women were the top collegiate team in the 4x100m relay. Kayann Richards, Alyssa McClure, Jasmyne King and Shakima Wimbley combined to place second with a time of 45.49 seconds.
The Hurricanes had two women finish in the top five of the 400m dash. Thandi Stewart finished third with a personal-best time of 54.40 seconds, while Taneisha Cordell placed fourth with a personal-best time of 54.88 seconds.
Miami earned four victories on the men’s side, led by double-winner Isaiah Simmons. The sophomore won the men’s shot put with a season-best mark of 18.02m and claimed the win on men’s discus with a throw of 53.25m.
“Isaiah continues to do a great job,” Deem said. “I know he is not throwing the distances he wants, but he is getting a lot of confidence from the wins as he gets ready for conference where he is the reigning shot put champion.”
Fellow thrower Gian Ragonesi was right behind Simmons, finishing second in shot put with an outdoor-best throw of 17.26m that moved him into third place in UM history. His mark of 51.36m also earned him a second place finish in men’s discus.
John-Patrick Friday won the triple jump with a 15.26m mark that ranks third in UM history, while Timothy Richardson placed second in the triple jump with a personal-best mark of 15.05m that moved him into fourth place in school history. Friday also placed second in the men’s high jump, clearing a season-best two meters.
“JP was really big for us in the jumps area,” Deem said. “He and Tim stepped up in the jumps and they’re young student-athletes so I am excited about them.”
Sean Pezzulo won the men’s 3000m with a time of 9:02.03, leading a group of five Canes in that race.
The Hurricane men were the top collegiate team in the 4x400m relay as Garrett Nygren, Joseph Ryan, Sean Petty and Davin Johnson ran a combined 3:21.15 to place third.
TeQuille Jackson was the top collegiate finisher in the men’s 110m hurdles, placing fifth with a time of 14.57 seconds. Miami volunteer coach Devon Hill finished second with a time of 14.46 seconds. Jackson also finished third in the men’s 400m hurdles with a time of 55.01 seconds.
Miami’s Anthony Wolliston placed fourth in the men’s 400m with a time of 48.51 seconds. Joseph Ryan also claimed a spot in the top 10, finishing eighth with a personal-best time of 49.71 seconds.
Douglas Dourado placed third in the men’s 800m with a time of 1:56.16, while Bassim El-Sabawi placed fifth in the men’s 100m dash with a time of 10.63 seconds.
The Canes are back in action next weekend at the Florida Relays before returning to Cobb Stadium for the final home meet of the season, the Hurricane Alumni Invitational, on April 12.
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