Arreaga’s School Record Leads Canes at Virginia Challenge
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Kevin Arreaga smashed a school record in the men’s hammer throw to lead the University of Miami track and field team on the opening day of the Virginia Challenge.
The freshman, who broke the school record twice this season entering the meet, turned in a personal-best throw of 70.64m to finish third in the men’s hammer invitational section. Arreaga eclipsed 70 meters for the first time in his career and broke his previous school record mark of 69.83m, set at the Power 5 Trailblazer Challenge on March 23.
“Kevin had an outstanding showing in another great hammer competition,” Miami associate head coach Cory Young said. “I applaud Kevin for staying the course and trusting the training. He has been so consistent all season and he finally broke through that 70m barrier.”
The Canes had two women finish in the top three in the women’s discus on Friday afternoon, as Zakiya Rashid was second with a mark of 52.43m and Debbie Ajagbe placed third with a throw of 52.25m. Sherry Lubin finished ninth with a throw of 44.84m, giving the Hurricanes three of the top 10 finishers in the field.
“The day started out very well,” Young said. “I thought that the girls made some great strides in technique today. We have been working very hard in practice over the past few weeks of maintaining technique in meet situations. We showed that today.”
Gian Piero Ragonesi was the second-best collegiate finisher in the men’s shot put, finishing fourth in the event with a mark of 17.96m.
“Gian Piero is still working through some kinks in his shot put technique,” Young said. “I look for him to come back tomorrow with a vengeance and have a great performance in the discus.”
Carolyn Brown was the lone Cane on the track, finishing third in the women’s 100m with a time of 11.92 seconds.
“Carolyn came out and ran a good race today,” Young said. “She is getting better each time she steps on the track. She has another opportunity tomorrow in the 200.”
Saturday’s action begins with Lubin throwing shot put at 1:30 p.m., while Brown returns to the track to run the women’s 200m at 3 p.m. Ajagbe and Rashid are among the nine competitors scheduled to compete in the women’s hammer invitational at 7 p.m., while Ajagbe is also in the women’s shot put invitational field.
Ragonesi will compete in the men’s discus invitational at 8:15 p.m., while Sean Grossman, Nathan Kuck and Adam George will close out the Hurricanes in action when they run the men’s 10,000m at 9:28 p.m.
Saturday’s events will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra beginning at 7 p.m. and fans can watch by clicking HERE. They can also follow the meet via live results by clicking HERE.
Following this weekend’s action, the Hurricanes will head to Fayetteville, Ark., to compete at the National Relay Championships on April 27-28. To view the complete Miami Track and Field schedule for the 2018 season, click here.
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