Canes Excel at Virginia Tech Invitational
BLACKSBURG, Va. – The University of Miami track and field team wrapped up its first meet of the 2017 indoor season Saturday.
The Hurricanes, who won 10 events at their first meet of 2017, were part of a 13-school field competing in the Virginia Tech Invitational at Rector Fieldhouse on the Virginia Tech campus this weekend that included ACC rivals Virginia, Wake Forest and the host Hokies.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with how we competed in our first meet of the season,” Miami director of track and field/cross country Amy Deem said. “We clearly have some technical things to improve upon but the attitude and effort were definitely there. This is a great starting point for us to build on.”
The last events of the day proved to be one of Miami’s best, as the Hurricanes earned three top five finishes in the 4x400m relay.
Erin Ford, Aiyanna Stiverne, Michelle Atherley and Brittny Ellis combined to win the women’s 4x400m relay with a time of 3:38.56, while the quartet of Carolyn Brown, Anthonia Moore, Kristina Knott and Nia Hinds teamed up to finish fifth with a time of 3:48.74.
On the men’s side, McKinly Brown, Henri Delauze, Breon Mullings and Ibrahim Dodo gave Miami a fourth place finish with a time of 3:15.26.
Anna Runia won the women’s 200m with a personal-best time of 24.56 seconds, while Jaalen Jones finished fourth in the men’s 200m with a time of 21.64 seconds.
Moore finished second in the women’s 400m with a time of 58.52 seconds, while Ibrahim Dodo placed seventh in the men’s 400m with a time of 51.57 seconds.
Anne Den Otter finished fifth in the women’s 800m with a time of 2:20.08, while Tom Gassner placed fifth in the men’s 800m with a time of 1:54.48.
Miami’s success on the track was matched in the field events, as the Hurricanes excelled in the jumps, throws and pole vault.
Erika Voyzey made her Miami debut, winning the women’s high jump with a mark of 1.78m that ranks third in program history. Michelle Atherley finished third and Amy Taintor placed fourth, each clearing 1.69m. Taintor’s mark was a new personal best.
Emily Gale finished third in the women’s pole vault with a personal-best mark of 3.92m that ranks second in school history, while Amanda Gale posted an indoor-best mark of 3.77m to move into third place in UM history.
Darlene Charles finished third in the women’s triple jump with a mark of 12.19m that tied her personal best, while Niara Hill finished fifth with a mark of 11.90m and Peyton Russell was sixth with an indoor-best mark of 11.79m.
Sherry Lubin finished fourth in the women’s shot put with a throw of 14.01m, while Zakiya Rashid was fifth with a personal-best mark of 13.98m. Daniel Polinski finished fifth in the men’s shot put with a throw of 16.02m.
Following this weekend’s trip to Virginia Tech, the Hurricanes will head to Kentucky to compete at the Rod McCravy Memorial Meet. To view the complete Miami Track and Field schedule for the 2017 season, click here.
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