@MiamiTrack Starts Strong at FSU Relays
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The University of Miami track and field program had a strong start at the 2015 FSU Relays.
The Canes were well balanced, excelling on the track, in the jumps and the throws on Friday at Mike Long Track in Tallahassee, Fla.
“Both the men and the women competed hard today and I am looking forward to a competitive day tomorrow,” Miami director of track and field/cross country Amy Deem said.
Christian Cook won the men’s 110m hurdles with a time of 14.27 seconds, while Jamika Glades placed second overall in the women’s 100m hurdles with a time of 13.77 seconds and Stefani Kerrison finished seventh with a time of 14.15 seconds.
Taneisha Cordell was also a winner on the track Friday, crossing the finish line first in the women’s 800m with a time of 2:08.81.
Jaalen Jones finished second in the men’s 100m dash with a time of 10.73 seconds. Kelsey Balkwill placed third overall in the women’s 400m with a time of 54.25 seconds, while Henri Delauze placed second overall in the men’s 400m with a time of 47.75 seconds and Anthony Wolliston finished fourth with a time of 48.48 seconds.
The men’s 4x100m relay of Cook, Anthony Wolliston, Robert Grant and Jones finished first with a time of 41.20 seconds, while the women’s quartet of Lateisha Philson. Trishelle Leacock, Kerrison and Kayann Richards placed second in the 4x100m relay with a time of 46.50 seconds.
Gabrielle Hesslau placed 10th in the women’s 3000m run, posting a time of 10:10.48 that ranks third in UM history.
While the Canes shined on the track, they also were strong in the throws and jumps.
For the second straight week, Carlos Mangum set a school record in the men’s hammer throw. The sophomore won the men’s hammer Friday, posting a personal-best mark of 63.50m. Mangum’s previous record mark was 61.74m, set a week ago at the Hurricane Invitational.
On the women’s side, Precious Ogunleye placed second in the women’s hammer throw with a personal-best mark of 61.17m that ranks third in UM history. Lea Johnson’s throw of 56.92m ranked third, while Tiffany Okieme finished fifth in the hammer with a throw of 51.69m.
Ogunleye’s stellar day also included a victory in the women’s discus, posting a personal-best mark of 51.32m that ranks third in UM history. Isaiah Simmons placed fourth in the men’s discus with a throw of 52.60m, while Gian Piero Ragonesi finished fifth in the discus with a mark of 52.39m.
“Our throwers had a strong day for us,” Deem said. “Precious led the way in the discus and hammer and Carlos ended the day with a huge personal-best and new school record.”
John-Patrick Friday placed second overall in the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.16m. On the women’s side, Amy Taintor’s mark of 5.35m placed her fourth in the long jump, while Niara Hill finished fifth with a mark of 4.90m.
Through ten events, the Hurricane men are in second place with 86 points, trailing Ohio State by just three points. Miami’s women are also in second place with 81 points, while the host Seminoles lead through 10 events.
Saturday’s first collegiate action is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. with the women’s high jump. The meet is free and open to the public.
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.
