Miami Women Ranked 19th by USTFCCCA
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s track and field team is ranked 19th in the NCAA Division I Women’s National Team Computer Rankings for Outdoor Track and Field, as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Monday.
Miami, which opened the outdoor season ranked 16th, is in the top 25 for the 12th time this year. The Hurricanes appeared in the top 25 in every ranking during the indoor season, peaking at No. 10. Ten marks combine to make up Miami’s team score of 103.31 points, with nine coming on the track.
Three of Miami’s 10 marks come from the 2017 Pepsi Florida Relays. Miami’s 4x400m relay team of Anna Runia, Brittny Ellis, Aiyanna Stiverne and Shakima Wimbley combined to run a time of 3:27.87 that is ranked fifth among eligible marks. Runia also is ranked 41st in the women’s 400m hurdles with a time of 58.61 seconds. Zakiya Rashid is Miami’s lone field scorer, sitting 35th among eligible marks in the women’s discus with a throw of 54.10m.
Wimbley is a contributor to four of the 10 marks, as the senior and 2017 NCAA indoor champion has times of 22.43 seconds in the 200m and 50.84 seconds in the 400m that rank in the top 10 in their respective events. Wimbley, who is first in the 400m and seventh in the 200m, is also part of Miami’s 10th-ranked 4x100m relay and fifth-ranked 4x400m relay.
Stiverne is another Hurricane making multiple appearances in the rankings, as the senior’s 400m time of 52.08 is 15th. She was also a member of Miami’s 4x100m and 4x400m relays that are ranked in the top 10.
The Canes also have a trio of marks in the hurdles, led by the duo of Ebony Morrison and Stefani Kerrison in the 100m hurdles. Morrison’s time of 12.76 seconds is ranked sixth, while Kerrison is 41st with a time of 13.31 seconds. Sophomore Michelle Atherley ranks 47th in the 400m hurdles with a time of 58.78 seconds.
The National Team Computer Rankings are compiled by a mathematical formula based on the NCAA Division I Descending Order Lists. Marks from previous seasons are included until enough data can be drawn from the current season and current freshmen aren’t included in the rankings until they compete in an outdoor meet. The purpose and methodology of the rankings is to create an index that showcases the teams that have the best potential of achieving the top spots in the race for a national title. Ranking points don’t equate with points that will be scored at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
The Canes will travel to Waco, Texas, to compete at the Michael Johnson Invitational on April 22. To view the complete Miami track and field schedule for the 2017 season, click here.
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