@CanesTrack Earns USTFCCCA All-America Honors
NEW ORLEANS – The University of Miami track and field program had 17 All-America honors bestowed upon 12 student-athletes following their performances at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced the 2016 NCAA Division I All-Americans for outdoor track & field. The awards were based on the results of the NCAA championships in Eugene, Ore.
In the sprinting events, the eight finalists were named First Team All-American; in the distances and field, the top eight finishers were named First Team All-Americans. In all events, finishers 9-16 were named Second Team selections, and the rest of the competitors are considered Honorable Mention. Those who receive Honorable Mention should not be referred to as All-Americans.
Miami had five student-athletes combine for six First Team All-America honors, led by junior Shakima Wimbley’s two First Team accolades. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native earned First Team All-America in the 400m after finishing third with a time of 51.43 seconds. The standout sprinter reached the 400m final after winning Heat 1 of the semifinals with a time of 51.78 seconds.
Wimbley also was a member of the 4x400m relay that placed seventh at the NCAA meet, combining with fellow First Team All-Americans Erin Ford, Aiyanna Stiverne and Brittny Ellis to run a time of 3:32.24. Miami’s 4x400m relay was impressive in the semifinals, as Destiny Washington, Stiverme, Ellis and Wimbley combined to run a season-best time of 3:29.68 that ranks fifth in UM history.
National women’s pole vault runner-up Alysha Newman is Miami’s final First Team All-American for the 2016 outdoor season. The senior finished second in Eugene with a mark of 4.30m. Newman was a three-time NCAA Outdoor Championships qualifier at Miami, earning two First Team All-America honors.
On the men’s side, Miami had two Second Team All-Americans in senior John-Patrick Friday and junior Gian Piero Ragonesi. Friday earned his All-America honor after placing 11th in the triple jump with a mark of 15.77m, while Ragonesi finished 13th in the shot put with a throw of 18.76m.
The Hurricanes had seven Second Team All-America honors on the women’s side. Miami had three individual honorees as Dakota Dailey-Harris finished 10th in the high jump, Ebony Morrison was 15th in the 100m hurdles and Aiyanna Stiverne placed 15th in the 400m. Additionally, Morrison, Stiverne, Wimbley and freshman Carolyn Brown were named Second Team All-America after finishing 12th in the 4x100m relay.
Senior throwers Isaiah Simmons and Precious Ogunleye were named All-America honorable mention. Simmons finished 23rd in the men’s shot put, while Ogunleye finished 22nd in the women’s hammer throw.
The Hurricanes had women advance to the national meet in the 400m, 100m hurdles, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay, pole vault, high jump and hammer throw. Miami had men qualify for the NCAA Championships in the shot put and triple jump. The 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships were held at Hayward Field in Eugene from June 8-11.
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