@MiamiTrack Opens at VT With Record Day
BLACKSBURG, Va. – The University of Miami track and field program got off to a strong start at the 2015 Doc Hale VT Elite Meet.
The Canes set a school record and posted several times and marks that rank among the best in program history.
Shakima Wimbley, who is a two-time ACC Women’s Indoor Track Performer of the Week in 2015, became the Doc Hale Champion in the women’s invitational 400m with a time of 53.48 seconds.
Thandi Stewart won the women’s 800m run with a personal-best time of 2:06.42 that ranks third in UM history. Fellow senior Taneisha Cordell placed third with a personal-best time of 2:09.11 that ranks fifth in UM history.
Lea Johnson was the women’s weight throw champion with a mark of 20.98m, while Carlos Mangum finished seventh in the men’s weight throw with a school-record mark of 19.82m.
Freshman Jaalen Jones had an outstanding Friday night in Blacksburg, placing second in the men’s open 200m with a personal-best time of 21.48 seconds that ranks second in UM history. Jones was joined in the Top 3 be fellow freshman Robert Grant, who placed third with a personal-best time of 21.70 seconds that ranks fifth in UM history.
Jones also was a standout in the men’s 60m, finishing sixth in the final with a personal-best time of 6.88 seconds. Jones reached the 60m final with a preliminary time of 6.95 seconds, while Josh Johnson just missed qualifying for the final, posting a time of 6.95 seconds to place ninth in preliminaries.
Kayann Richards and Stefani Kerrison placed fourth and fifth, respectively, in the women’s 60m hurdles final. Richards posted a personal-best time of 8.36 seconds, while Kerrison finished in a personal-best 8.37 seconds.
Alexandra Wester finished fourth in the women’s 60m final, posting a personal-best time of 7.53 seconds. The freshman posted a time of 7.56 seconds to qualify for the women’s 60m final.
John-Patrick Friday finished third in the men’s triple jump with a mark of 15.65m, while Alexis Wright placed eighth in the women’s triple jump, clearing 11.89m.
Saturday’s action is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. with the women’s high jump. The final day’s running events open at 1 p.m. with the women’s 3000m run.
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