@MiamiTrack Has Record-Setting Day at GT
ATLANTA – Heading into the Georgia Tech Invitational, Miami director of track and field Amy Deem had a feeling several Canes were poised for a big weekend.
The Hurricanes made their coach’s prediction a reality, putting together some of the best performances is Miami track and field history over their two-day stay at the George C. Griffin Track on the Georgia Tech campus.
On their final day of competition before the NCAA East Preliminary, one Hurricane set a new school record and three other student-athletes moved into the school’s all-time Top 5 in their respective events. Overall, Miami had 13 Top 5 finishes on the weekend.
“We had some really good performances,” Deem said. “This is the time of year that you want to be at your best. Gian, Shakima, Taneisha and Alysha did that today. I am also proud of Amber and Alyssa and how they competed this weekend.”
Alysha Newman won the women’s pole vault, clearing a personal-best 4.41m. The sophomore also set a new school record, surpassing her previous mark of 4.28m from the 2014 ACC Outdoor Championships, and a new facility record.
Shakima Wimbley won the women’s 400m with a personal-best time of 51.68 seconds that ranks second in school history.
Taneisha Cordell was one of two Canes to earn a Top 5 finish in the women’s 800m. The junior placed second with a personal-best time of 2:05.72 that ranks fifth in school history. Alaine Tate joined Cordell in the Top 5, placing fifth with a season-best time of 2:08.12.
One day after placing second in the women’s shot put, Amber Monroe posted a season-best mark of 51.18m to earn a second-place finish in the women’s discus. Freshman Gian Piero Ragonesi also finished second in the discus, posting a personal-best mark of 54.89m that ranks second in school history.
Jamika Glades placed fourth in the women’s 400m hurdles with a time of 58.62 seconds. Glades was also part of Miami’s final Top 5 finish of the weekend, running in the women’s 4x400m relay. The quartet of Thandi Stewart, Glades, Anthonia Moore and Tate combined to finish fifth with a time of 3:38.72.
Miami’s outdoor regular season is now complete, but qualifiers for the NCAA East Preliminary will continue to prepare themselves for the opening round the NCAA track and field postseason. The NCAA East Preliminary will take place in Jacksonville, Fla., from May 29-31.
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