ACC Champion Women’s Track Ranked No. 20
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s track and field team moved up two spots to No. 20 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 appeared in the USTFCCCA top 25 for the fifth consecutive week. Fifteen marks, including eight new marks, combined to make up Miami’s team score of 95.62 points.
Miami has 11 of its 15 scored marks coming on the track, with seven helping the Hurricanes win the 2018 ACC Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championship over the weekend.
ACC Women’s Track MVP Symone Mason won gold in the 200m with a time of 23.01 seconds that is 37thin the country and was the ACC champion in the 400m with a time of 51.53 seconds that is 11thnationally.
Mason also was a key member of Miami’s ACC champion 4x100m and 4x400m relays. The freshman teamed with Kristina Knott, Alfreda Steele and Tiara McMinn to win gold in the 4x100m with a time of 43.48 that is 11thin the country. Mason led off Miami’s 4x400m relay, passing the baton to Anna Runia, Michelle Atherley and Samantha Gonzalez to post a time of 3:32.40 that is 14thin the NCAA.
Gonzalez leads a trio of new marks in the hurdles, as the junior’s time of 56.77 seconds in the 400m hurdles ranks seventh in the country and earned her an ACC title. Atherley’s time of 13.05 seconds is 22ndin the 100m hurdles, while McMinn is 24thin the same event with a time of 13.10 seconds.
Miami also has four marks on the track from earlier in the season. Steele’s 100m time of 11.31 seconds ranks 52nd, while fellow freshman Kayla Johnson’s 400m time of 52.82 seconds is 44thand her 800m time of 2:03.04 is sixth in the country. Runia’s 400m hurdles time of 57.64 seconds is 19thin the NCAA this season.
Freshman Debbie Ajagbe’s personal-best mark of 16.22m in the shot put earned her a bronze medal at the ACC championships and ranks 36thin the country. Ajagbe is also ranked 23rdin the discus with a mark of 55.07m, while Zakiya Rashid is 19thin the discus at 55.68m.
Atherley, who was the ACC champion in the high jump, heptathlon and 4x400m relay, is ranked 11thin the country with her heptathlon score of 5,816 points from the Bryan Clay Invitational.
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.
Qualifying Hurricanes will prepare to compete at the NCAA East Preliminary in Tampa, Fla., on May 24-26. To view the complete Miami Track and Field schedule for the 2018 season, click here.
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