@MiamiTrack Announces Stellar Signing Class
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Amy Deem is pleased to announce the addition of seven signees to the University of Miami Track and Field program.
The Hurricanes signed three sprinters, two throwers and a hurdler that will add talent and depth to Miami’s women’s program, while one sprinter signed on to be the newest member of the men’s program. Deem and her staff are excited about what the newest members of the Miami track and field family will bring to the team.
“This group of talented student-athletes fills our needs and also gives us the depth we haven’t had in several years,” Deem said. “They are a passionate group of young people who want to excel both academically and athletically.”
Carolyn Brown, Sprints (Hampton, Va./Phoebus HS)
Brown is a talented sprinter, winning the 55m dash and the 55m hurdles at the 2014 Virginia Indoor State Meet. The Virginia native was also the 2014 Virginia Outdoor Class 4A State Champion in the 100m hurdles and finished second in the 200m at the 2014 Virginia Outdoor Class 4A State Meet. A versatile athlete, Brown has personal bests of 11.69 second in the 100m, 23.80 seconds in the 200m, 14.81 seconds in the 110m hurdles, 6.96 seconds in the 55m and 5’6” in the high jump. Her 100m time ranks 21st in the country in her class, while her 200m time is 10th among returning seniors.
Brittny Ellis, Sprints (Gurnee, Ill./Warren HS)
Ellis is an accomplished sprinter, having competed in the 400m for Team USA at the World Youth Games in Nanjing, China. The Illinois native was the 400m champion at the 2014 AAU Junior Olympics. She has personal bests of 11.94 seconds in the 100m, 23.81 seconds in the 200m and 53.49 seconds in the 400m. Ellis’ 400m time is ranked fourth in the country among returning seniors and her 200m time is tied for 11th in the United States.
Erin Ford, Sprints (Royal Palm Beach, Fla./Royal Palm Beach HS)
Ford is the latest in a long line of Florida talents to join the Hurricanes. The gifted sprinter was the runner-up in the 200m at the 2014 AAU Club Nationals and earned fourth in the 400m and fifth in the 200m at the 2014 Florida 4A State Track Meet. Ford has personal bests of 11.90 seconds in the 100m, 23.81 seconds in the 200m and 54.42 seconds in the 400m. Her 400m time ranks ninth in the country, while her 200m time is tied for 11th among returning seniors in the United States.
Samantha Gonzalez, Hurdles (Carrolton, Texas/ Creekview HS)
Gonzalez is one of the top hurdlers in her home state of Texas and the United States. The Carrolton, Texas, native was the 2014 USATF Junior Olympics Champion in the 400m hurdles and the 2014 Texas State 4A Champion in the 300m hurdles. Gonzalez also medaled in the 100m hurdles at the 2014 Texas State Meet, placing third. She has personal bests of 41.02 seconds in the 300m hurdles, 59.12 seconds in the 400m hurdles and 24.76 seconds in the 200m. Gonzalez’s 300m hurdles time is the best in the nation among returning seniors, while her 400m hurdles time is second-best and her 100m hurdles time of 13.80 seconds is 14th in the country. Gonzalez also competed at the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championships, where she placed fifth in the 400m hurdles.
Zakiya Rashid, Throws (Suffolk, Va./ Nansemond River HS)
Rashid is the defending Virginia State 4A Champion in the shot put and led Nansemond River to a Virginia State 4A team championship. The gold medals did not stop at the state meet as Rashid also claimed the championship in both shot put and discus at the 2014 AAU Club Nationals. Rashid has personal bests of 45’0.25” in shot put and 149’10” in discus. Her shot put mark is ranked 15th in the country, while her discus mark is eighth-best in the United States. Not just a thrower in high school, Rashid was the runner-up in the girls’ 100m hurdles at the 2014 Virginia Class 4A State Meet.
Edie Svonavec, Throws (Garrettsville, Ohio/Garfield HS)
Svonavec was Ohio’s top shot putter in 2014, claiming the state championship while placing third in the discus at the 2014 Ohio State Meet. Her personal best mark of 47’6“ in shot put ranks fourth in the country, while her personal best mark of 139’5” in discus ranks 35th in the United States.
Isaiah Taylor, Sprints (Pembroke Pines, Fla./West Broward HS)
Taylor is expected to make an immediate impact for the Hurricanes after an impressive showing in 2014. The Pembroke Pines, Fla., native was the runner-up at the 2014 AAU Junior Olympics Games in both the 100m and 200m. Taylor also claimed the 100m title and finished second in the 200m at the 2014 AAU Club Championships. Finally, he earned a fourth-place finish in the 100m dash at the 2014 Florida Class 4A State Meet. Taylor holds personal bests of 10.48 seconds in the 100m and 21.20 seconds in the 200m. His 100m time ranks ninth among returning seniors in the United States, while his 200m time is 17th among his peers.
For all the latest information on the Miami Hurricanes, follow the official Twitter feed, @HurricaneSports, or “Like Us” on Facebook at facebook.com/MiamiHurricanes. Follow @MiamiTrack on Twitter for specific news on UM track and field and cross country.
