@CanesTrack Sets Records at Florida Relays
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Miami track and field team opened up its stay at the 2017 Pepsi Florida Relays with a pair of record-setting performances.
Gabrielle Hesslau finished third in the women’s college 5000 meter run with a personal-best time of 16:38.68 that set a new school record. The senior broke Melanie Schultz’s previous school record time of 16:44.10, set on April 23, 2005. Hesslau’s time was nearly forty seconds faster than her previous career-best time of 17:10.32 that ranked fourth all-time in Miami history.
“It was a great night for racing,” Miami distance coach Damon Griffiths said. “Gabby ran a very patient race the first two miles, which put her in a great position to challenge the school record.”
Sean Grossman continued the record-breaking day for Miami’s distance runners. The junior set a new school record, finishing 10th overall in the men’s college 5000 meter run with a personal-best time of 14:37.56. Grossman bested Sean Pezzulo’s previous Miami record time of 14:42.32, set on April 5, 2013.
“The men fed off of how Gabby raced,” Griffiths said. “Sean put himself in great position after 3,200 meters and really closed hard the last 600 meters. I know he has a lot more in him and both Jon and Sean [Hagert] ran strong races in the second heat. I am so proud of how all of them ran today.”
Senior Jon Keller (15:11.23) and freshman Sean Hagert (15:25.95) also ran personal-bests in the men’s college 5000m.
“We focused our training to run well this weekend,” Griffiths said. “I’m elated to leave here tonight with two school records and four big personal bests.”
In addition to the standouts in the distance races, Miami had competitors in the women’s open 200m, women’s open 400m, men’s open 400m hurdles and men’s college javelin.
Erin Ford was 18th in the women’s open 400m with a time of 56.74 seconds, while Anna Runia was 19th in the women’s open 200m with a collegiate-best time of 24.01 seconds.
Ibrahim Dodo finished 19th in the men’s open 400m hurdles with a time of 54.43 seconds, while Andreas Christodoulou finished 21st in the men’s college javelin throw with a mark of 58.68m.
Following this weekend’s action, the Canes will return to Coral Gables, Fla., to compete at their final home meet of the 2017 season, the Hurricane Alumni Invitational. Senior standouts Shakima Wimbley, Ebony Morrison, Aiyanna Stiverne and Carlos Mangum are among the Miami seniors that will be honored at their final home track meet as Hurricanes. To view the complete Miami track and field schedule for the 2017 season, click here.
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