Canes Close Strong at Texas Relays
AUSTIN, Texas – The University of Miami track and field program closed out its stay at the 2016 Nike Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays with a strong showing on the track and in the field.
The Hurricanes were in action in three finals on the track and competed in a variety of field events on Saturday at Mike A. Myers Stadium on the University of Texas campus.
“I saw a lot of positives even though they may not show in the results,” Miami director of track and field/cross country Amy Deem said. “We need to get better and perform with a little more confidence. There were a lot of good teaching moments this weekend. The results may not have been exactly what we wanted, but there were positives that we can build on.”
Dakota Dailey-Harris kicked off the day’s action in the women’s high jump, placing fifth with a mark of 1.74m.
“Dakota has been having a great season,” Deem said. “You can’t expect a PR every weekend. This is an individual sport and you are going to have ups and downs. Our main focus is ACC Championships and NCAAs in May.”
Miami’s 4x100m relay team also finished fifth as Shakima Wimbley, Carolyn Brown Aiyanna Stiverne and Ebony Morrison combined for a season-best time of 44.33 seconds.
“This weekend was good,” Stiverne said. “I was really excited to come out here and compete at one of my favorite outdoor meets. Yesterday we had a little bit of technical difficulties, but still ran a good time. We ran a good time today, as well.”
Morrison also made some noise in the 100m hurdles final, finishing third with a season-best time of 13.34 seconds.
“Ebony did some really nice things early in the race,” Deem said. “We haven’t done as much hurdle endurance stuff and this is her first race since NCAA Indoors and hurdles is a very rhythmic race.”
The women’s 4x400m relay closed out the action on the track, finishing seventh in an exciting invitational section. Destiny Washington, Stiverne, Anna Runia and Wimbley combined to run a season-best time of 3:34.50.
“I am really pleased with Destiny and Aiyanna,” Deem said. “That’s the setup we need and the first two legs we need. We just need to do better at the end, but I thought they put us in a really good position to run a good race. There is definitely room for improvement. The pieces are there and it’s early. I think both of our relays are better than we ran this weekend.”
Alysha Newman was Miami’s top finisher in the field events, placing second in the women’s collegiate pole vault with a mark of 4.30m.
Miami had two men reach the finals in the shot put as Isaiah Simmons placed fourth with a mark of 18.37m and Gian Piero Ragonesi finished sixth with a throw of 18.11m. Daniel Polinski finished 13th with a season-best throw of 16.43m.
The Hurricanes are back in action at the final home meet of the 2016 outdoor season, the Hurricane Alumni Invitational. In addition to the track and field action held at Cobb Stadium on April 8-9, the Hurricane Alumni Invitational will serve as Senior Day for the Canes. Miami will honor its seniors on Saturday, April 9, in recognition of their contributions to the program.
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