No. 16 @CanesTrack Wins at The Armory
NEW YORK – The No. 16 University of Miami women’s track and field team earned a first place finish at the 2016 Armory Track Invitational, capping an outstanding weekend by the Hurricanes.
One day after the Hurricanes had several standout performances on the women’s side, including a victory by Shakima Wimbley in the 400m, the Canes closed their stay at the Armory Track Invitational with one of their best team performances of the 2016 season. Miami’s women finished first with a team score of 54 points, while the men finsihed sixth with 28 points.
“I am very excited for our team today,” Miami director of track and field/cross country Amy Deem said. “This meet was a huge confidence booster for many of the athletes.”
Ebony Morrison won the women’s 60m hurdles final with a personal-best time of 8.22 seconds. Morrison, who ran the fastest preliminary (8.32) and semifinal (8.26) times, is now in fifth place in UM history after breaking her tie for fifth with Patrina Allen at 8.24 seconds.
“I thought Ebony ran well today,” Deem said. “I look for her to keep improving in the next few weeks.”
Freshman Anne Den Otter placed fifth overall in the women’s mile with a personal-best time of 4:59.72, becoming the third Hurricane in school history to break the five-minute mark. Den Otter, who ranks third in school history, joins Melaine Schultz (4:46.81) and Lindsi Arrington (4:54.95) in the sub-five minute club.
Carolyn Brown placed 10th in the women’s 200m dash with a time of 24.72 seconds, while fellow freshman Erin Ford finished 11th with a time of 24.78 seconds. Senior Jamika Glades was 15th with a time of 24.92 seconds. Destiny Washington (17th), Trishelle Leacock (21st) and Anna Runia (24) gave the Hurricanes six finishers in the Top 25 in a field of 72 runners.
The quartet of Aiyanna Stiverne, Brittny Ellis, Shakima Wimbley and Destiny Washington combined to place second in the women’s 4x400m relay invitational with a season-best time of 3:36.41. The women’s 4x400m relay team of Erin Ford, Jamika Glades, Anthonia Moore and Samantha Gonzalez combined to place second in the college division with a time of 3:44.74.
Miami also had an excellent day in the field events, with seniors Alysha Newman, Precious Ogunleye and Tiffany Okieme leading the women.
Newman placed second in the women’s pole vault with a school record and personal-best mark of 4.50m that ranks second in the NCAA this season.
Ogunleye and Okieme finished first and second, respectively, in the women’s weight throw. Ogunleye posted a personal-best mark of 21.27m that ranks third in UM history to earn the victory, while Okieme’s throw of 20.55m was just shy of her season-best throw (20.60m). Freshman Zakiya Rashid was 17th with a personal-best throw of 16.48m.
“Precious and Alysha had huge personal bests that rank them with some of the best in the nation,” Deem said.
The Hurricanes also had success on the men’s side Saturday at The Armory, posting impressive times and marks across several event areas.
Freshman Myles Valentine placed fourth in the men’s 60m final with a time of 6.81 seconds, while Jaalen Jones finished 10th in the men’s 200m dash with a season-best time of 21.98 seconds.
Carlos Mangum won the men’s weight throw with a mark of 19.68m, while John-Patrick Friday posted a season-best mark in the men’s triple jump, placing fourth with a mark of 15.32m. Sophomore David Njoku finished sixth in the men’s high jump invitational with a mark of 2.03m.
Miami’s men’s 4x400m relay of Henri Delauze, Anthony Wolliston, Joseph Ryan and Thomas Gassner combined to place fourth with a time of 3:18.19.
Following this weekend’s action in New York, the Hurricanes will compete at two different meets: The Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., on Feb 12-13 and the LSU High Performance Meet in Baton Rouge, La., on Feb. 13. Next weekend will serve as the final competition for the Hurricanes before the ACC Indoor Championships on Feb. 25-27 in Boston.
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 @CanesTrack on Twitter for specific news on UM track and field and cross country. The program is also on Instagram.
Miami Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Amy Deem poses with the women’s team first place trophy.
