Wimbley Ready for USA Junior Championships
EUGENE, Ore. – Miami Hurricanes freshman Shakima Wimbley will spend her Fourth of July weekend trying to earn a spot on the United States’ Junior National Team.
Wimbley will compete in the women’s 400m at the 2014 USATF Junior Outdoor Championships held July 5-6 at Hayward Field. The 2014 USATF Junior Outdoor Championships will feature the best athletes under the age of 20, including high school standouts and the nation’s most promising college freshmen.
Wimbley proved herself as an elite runner in her first collegiate season, becoming the first Hurricane in Miami track and field history to sweep the ACC Freshman of the Year award.
The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native was one of three Hurricanes who earned All-America honors, selected to the second team after she placed fourth in Heat 1 of the women’s 400m semifinal and 14th overall at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a time of 52.61 seconds. She was also tabbed All-America honorable mention as a member of Miami’s 4x400m relay team.
Wimbley was an ACC outdoor champion in the 200m and in the 4x100m relay, earning All-ACC honors for both events. She also helped the Hurricanes’ 4×400 relay team to a bronze medal time of 3:35.90 and placed fourth in the 400 meters at 53.02.
In addition to her stellar showing at the ACC Outdoor Championships, Wimbley earned ACC Performer of the Week on May 20, her second Performer of the Week Award of 2014. The freshman was the top finisher in a field of 45 athletes competing in the women’s 400m at the Georgia Tech Invitational. Her personal-best time of 51.68 seconds was the fastest time by an ACC athlete this season and has her entering this weekend’s USATF Junior Championships as the second seed in the women’s 400m.
The freshman sensation was also an All-America second team selection during an indoor season that saw her win the 200m and 4x400m ACC titles, as well as represent Miami in the 200m at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
Wimbley will hit the track at 7:25 p.m. ET Saturday for the first round of the 400m dash. Sunday’s women’s 400m final is scheduled for 6:50 p.m. ET.
The 2014 USATF Junior Outdoor Championships will serve as a qualifier for the 2014 IAAF World Junior Championships. Top performers will be part of the American team that will have the unique opportunity to return to Eugene from July 22-27. The 2014 edition of the IAAF World Junior Championships marks the first time the event has ever been held in the United States.
USATF.tv will stream the meet live online beginning with the first running event of each day. Saturday’s broadcast begins at 5:50 p.m. ET and Sunday’s at 5:45 p.m. ET
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