@MiamiTrack Shines at Hurricane Alumni Meet
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami track and field program hosted its final home track meet of the 2014 season, the Hurricane Alumni Invitational.
Canes from past and present came together at Cobb Stadium for a beautiful day of track and field that featured several Miami student-athletes having success in the final meet before the ACC Outdoor Championships.
“We had some really good performances,” Miami director of track and field/cross country Amy Deem said. “Our throwers continue to do really well and JP had a breakout day in the long jump. We’re in a really good place for ACCs. We’re healthy and I am excited about what we can do next weekend.”
Isaiah Simmons won the men’s shot put with a throw of 17.75m, while Gian Piero Ragonesi placed fourth with a mark of 16.40m. The duo also competed in the men’s discus with Simmons placing second with a school-record mark of 56.68m. Ragonesi placed third with a personal-best throw of 52.23m.
The Canes had three men finish in the top five in the men’s hammer throw. Carlos Mangum led the trio with a second place finish (57.22m), while Simmons placed fourth with a personal-best mark of 52.33m and Ragonesi finished fifth (48.16m).
Amber Monroe won the women’s shot put with a throw of 15.80m. The junior also placed fourth in the women’s discus with a throw of 48.96m.
Jamika Glades led a quartet of Canes who placed in the top 10 in the 100m HH. The sophomore placed second with a time of 13.56 seconds, while Alysha Newman finished sixth (14.08), Alexis Wright placed seventh (14.12) and Kayann Richards placed ninth (14.27).
“I thought Jamika had a solid day in the hurdles,” Deem said. “She is getting more consistent and that’s a positive.”
Luke Fontaine placed second in the men’s 3000m with a time of 8:38.24. The senior’s time moved him into third place in school history.
Senior Lindsi Arrington placed second in the women’s 1500m run with a season-best time of 4:30.56.
Lea Johnson placed second in the women’s hammer throw with a personal-best mark of 61.20m.
Thandi Stewart placed second in the women’s 400m dash with a time of 54.90 seconds.
Dakota Dailey-Harris finished second in the women’s high jump with a mark of 1.71m, while John-Patrick Friday placed fifth in the men’s high jump, clearing a season-best. 2.04m. Friday also placed fifth in the men’s long jump with a personal-best mark of 7.29m.
The women’s 4x100m relay of Kayann Richards, Alyssa McClure, Jasmyne King and Shakima Wimbley combined to finish third with a season-best time of 45.06 seconds. The men’s 4x400m relay of Davin Johnson, Douglas Dourado, Sean Petty and Garrett Nygren finished seventh with a time of 3:22.79.
Senior Alaine Tate finished sixth in the women’s 800m run with a time of 2:10.74.
Senior Garrett Nygren finished fourth in the men’s 400m hurdles with a personal-best time of 55.89 seconds. Miami alum and volunteer coach Devon Hill won the men’s 110m hurdles with a time of 13.55 seconds.
Beyond the track and field action, Miami’s 18 seniors were recognized for their contributions to the program in an on-field senior day ceremony. Six women and 12 men were honored and received plaques as a token of appreciation for their dedication to “The U.”
“They’ve been a great group of young people to work with for the last four years,” Deem said. “I got into coaching to make a difference. It seems like they were just talking to us about being a part of the program and now they’re getting ready to graduate in a month. Time goes fast and you have to take advantage of your opportunities because they go by quickly.”
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