@MiamiTrack Starts Strong at Hurricane Invite
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami track and field program had strong start on the opening day of the 2015 Hurricane Invitational.
One Hurricane set a new school record while three Miami student-athletes place first in their respective events on Friday evening.
“It was great to open at home and compete in front of our fans and family that came to support the team, “Miami assistant coach Damon Griffiths said. “A lot of the kids opened their outdoor season with strong marks and tomorrow we can come back and continue to get better.”
Carlos Mangum opened his 2015 outdoor season with a new personal-best in the hammer throw. The sophomore won the men’s hammer throw and set a new school record with a throw of 61.74m. Mangum, who previously held the school record with a mark of 61.11m, was joined in the top five in the standings by fellow sophomore Gian Piero Ragonesi, whom placed fifth.
Miami also had the top two finishers in the women’s hammer. Senior Lea Johnson placed first with a throw of 59.31m, while junior Precious Ogunleye finished second with a throw of 58.42m.
Junior Dakota Dailey-Harris tied for first in the women’s high jump with a mark of 1.70m, while freshman Amy Taintor placed sixth with a mark of 1.60m. Freshman Bailey Vitatoe finished second in the men’s high jump, clearing 2.00m.
Miami had four student-athletes compete in the 5000m with Kevin Marsh and AJ Ricketts competing in the men’s race and Gabrielle Hesslau and Janine Depree running the women’s race.
Saturday’s field events begin at 1 p.m. with the men’s discus, the women’s shot put, women’s pole vault and the men’s long jump. The final day’s running events also begin at 1 p.m. with the women’s 4x100m relay.
For all the latest information on the Miami Hurricanes, follow the official Twitter feed, @MiamiHurricanes, or “Like Us” on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MiamiHurricanes. Follow @MiamiTrack on Twitter for specific news on UM track and field and cross country. The program is also on Instagram.
