Wimbley on Team USA for IAAF World Juniors
INDIANAPOLIS – The University of Miami’s Shakima Wimbley will compete against the best junior athletes in the world at the 2014 IAAF World Junior Championships.
Wimbley is part of Team USA’s 89-member roster for the 8th IAAF World Junior Championships, earning one of six spots in Team USA’s 4x400m relay pool. Wimbley recently competed at the USATF Junior Outdoor Championships, placingthird in the women’s 400m final with a time of 52.55 seconds.
The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native 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.
Wimbley 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.
A standout in her firs t year at Miami, 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.
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 represent her countries at the 2014 IAAF World Junior Championships, held from July 22-27 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. The 2014 edition of the IAAF World Junior Championships marks the first time the event has ever been held in the United States.
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