Kayla Johnson Named ACC Performer of the Week
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami’s Kayla Johnson earned her second ACC Women’s Outdoor Track Performer of the Week award, as announced by the conference office Tuesday.
Johnson continued her outstanding debut season, winning the women’s 800m at the Pepsi Florida Relays with an NCAA-leading and school-record time of 2:03.92 that is fastest in the U.S. this season. Johnson broke Thandi Stewart’s record time of 2:04.06, set in 2014.
The freshman also anchored the Hurricanes’ 4x400m relay team to a fourth-place finish with a time of 3:33.19 that leads the ACC and ranks sixth in the NCAA this season.
“What I liked about Florida Relays is she went out and took control of the race and ran her race and that’s impressive for a freshman,” Miami director of track and field/cross country Amy Deem said. “For her to take the lead and lead from wire-to-wire is an impressive run for a freshman. Kayla continues to improve from week-to-week and I’m excited to see her development over the remainder of the outdoor season.”
Johnson picked up her second ACC Performer of the Week honor of her career, also winning the award on March 20 after an impressive outdoor debut at the Hurricane Invitational. She is the first Hurricane to earn multiple ACC Performer of the Week honors this year. Miami freshman Hasani Knight, junior Michelle Atherley and freshman Kevin Arreaga also have picked up ACC Performer of the Week honors in 2018.
Following this weekend’s action, the Hurricanes will return home for consecutive meets at Cobb Stadium. Miami will host the Hurricane Alumni Invitational on April 6-7 and the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational on April 14. To view the complete Miami Track and Field schedule for the 2018 season, click here.
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