Shakima Wimbley Named ACC WoMen's POTW
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Shakima Wimbley was named the ACC Women’s Track Performer of the Week following a strong start to the 2015 Indoor Track & Field season.
Competing at the Nittany Lion Challenge in State College, Pa., Wimbley won the women’s 200 meters with a personal-best time of 23.35 seconds that ranks fourth on Miami’s all-time indoor list and second in the NCAA this season. The gifted sophomore also anchored Miami’s 4x400m relay to victory with a time of 3:35.93, the second-fastest time in the country this season.
“It amazes me every time I get recognized like this,” Wimbley said. “Opening up with a strong time like I did this past weekend is great. It really boosts my confidence and gets me excited for what is to come later this season. I know I still have a lot of work to do, but I am definitely excited about the future.”
A freshman sensation a year ago, Wimbley won gold medals in the 200m and the 4x400m relay at the ACC Indoor Championships en route to being named the ACC Freshman of the Year for the 2014 indoor season. Wimbley, who was a second team Indoor All-American in 2014, posted the fifth-fastest indoor 200m time in UM history (23.56).
“Shakima had a very successful freshman year and I was very pleased with her opener this season, but what I was really impressed by was her determination and her work during fall training,” Miami director of track and field/cross country Amy Deem said. “She really committed herself to her training and getting stronger in the weight room this fall and it showed in her performances this past weekend.”
The standout sprinter was equally impressive in her 2014 outdoor campaign, earning ACC Freshman of the Year honors for the outdoor season and claiming ACC Outdoor titles in the 200m and 4x100m. Wimbley, who ranks second in UM history in the outdoor 400m (51.68) and fifth all-time in the outdoor 200m (23.12), earned second team Outdoor All-America honors in the 200m and was honorable mention in the 4x400m.
“Receiving this honor motivates me to get better. I had an awesome season last year, but it wasn’t the best season I could have had. There were people who finished ahead of me and I am looking to continue to improve and get as close to the top as I can.”
Miami is back in action next weekend at the Rod McCravy Memorial Meet, competing on Jan. 23-24 in Lexington, Ky.
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