Women’s Track Enters USTFCCCA Top 25 at No. 23
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s track and field team entered the USTFCCCA top 25, appearing at No. 23 in the latest edition of the NCAA DI Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Team Computer Rankings, as announced Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association (USTFCCCA).
The Hurricanes cracked the top 25 for the first time this season, moving up three spots from No. 26 in last week’s rankings. Thirteen marks combined to make up Miami’s team score of 82.02 points, with 11 marks coming from the 2018 outdoor season.
Miami has 10 of its 13 scored marks coming on the track. The Hurricanes’ 4x400m relay time of 3:33.19 run by Symone Mason, Samantha Gonzalez, Michelle Atherley and Kayla Johnson is the highest ranked mark, sitting sixth. Miami’s 4x100m team of Kristina Knott, Alfreda Steele, Mason and Tiara McMinn are ranked seventh with a time of 43.54 seconds.
Johnson scores twice as an individual for the Hurricanes, ranked ninth in the women’s 800m and 37thin the 400m. Steele also scored for the Canes in the sprints, sitting 39thin the 100m.
The Canes have five scored marks in the hurdles, as Gonzalez’s 400m hurdles time of 57.89 seconds ranks 28thand McMinn ins 39thin the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.21 seconds and Atherley is 48thin the 100m hurdles at 13.28 seconds. Miami also has Anna Runia’s 400m hurdles time of 57.03 seconds from last season ranked seventh and Atherley’s 400m hurdles time of 58.78 seconds ranked 45th.
Miami also has three marks in the field events with all three coming from the throws. Zakiya Rashid is ranked 21stin the discus with a mark of 55.68m, while Debbie Ajagbe’s mark of 55.07m is 26thin the discus. The freshman Ajagbe also scored in the hammer throw, as her mark of 60.51m ranks 48th.
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 Hurricanes will head to Charlottesville, Va., to compete at the Virginia Challenge on April 20-21. To view the complete Miami Track and Field schedule for the 2018 season, click here.
For all the latest information on the Miami Hurricanes, follow the official Twitter feed, @MiamiHurricanes, or “Like Us” on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MiamiHurricanes. Follow @CanesTrack on Twitter for specific news on UM track and field and cross country. The program is also on Instagram.
