WoMen's Track Up One Spot to No. 13
NEW ORLEANS – The University of Miami women’s track and field team moved up one spot to No. 13 in the Week 1 edition of the NCAA Division I Women’s National Team Computer Rankings for Indoor Track and Field, as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Monday.
The defending ACC indoor champion Hurricanes are one of three ACC teams ranked in the preseason top 25, joined by No. 10 Notre Dame (67.96 points) and No. 15 NC State (49.72 points). The Canes, who opened the 2017 season ranked No. 14, peaked at No. 15 during the 2016 indoor season and were ranked in every week of last year’s indoor campaign.
“I am pleased with where are at this point in the season,” Miami director of track and field/cross country Amy Deem said. “I think we are in a really good place as a team. We’ve had two quality meets and I am looking forward to continued progress at the Meyo Invitational in two weeks.”
The Hurricanes have eight marks contributing to their total team score of 52.45, with four marks recorded over the first two weeks of the 2017 indoor campaign.
Reigning ACC Women’s Indoor Track Most Outstanding Performer Shakima Wimbley’s 400m time of 51.28 seconds ranks first in the NCAA. The senior posted the world-leading time at this past weekend’s Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational. Wimbley’s 200m time from a year ago of 23.08 seconds also factors into Miami’s team score, as it is seventh on the list of eligible times.
In addition to Wimbley’s NCAA-leading and school and meet record-setting 400m time, the Canes have two other 400m times from the McCravy Memorial Invitational that rank among the nation’s best.
Brittny Ellis, who finished fourth in the 400m with a personal-best time of 53.05 seconds, is ranked 15th among eligible women’s 400m times, while Aiyanna Stiverne’s time of 53.39 seconds is 25th.
The Hurricanes also have their 4x400m time of 3:33.43 from the McCravy Memorial Invitational contributing to their team score. The Miami quartet of Stivere, Ellis, Wimbley and Erin Ford combined to finish third at the meet and rank third in the NCAA this season, as well as 13th among qualifying 4x400m times.
In addition to Wimbley’s 200m time from 2016, the Canes have three other times from last season that add to the team’s tally.
Ebony Morrison, who was the 2016 ACC silver medalist in the 60m hurdles, ranks 11th in the event with a time of 8.12 seconds. Kristina Knott ranks seventh in the 60m with a time of 7.28 seconds, while Michelle Atherley is ninth in the pentathlon with a score of 4,153 points.
The Canes are back in action at the Meyo Invitational at Notre Dame on Feb. 3-4, which will give them an opportunity to compete at the site of the 2017 ACC Indoor Championships, scheduled for Feb. 23-25. To view the complete Miami Track and Field schedule for the 2017 season, click here.
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