Atherley and Deem Earn USTFCCCA South Region Awards

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami’s Michelle Atherley and Amy Deem were named the 2019 South Region Women’s Field Athlete and Coach of the Year, respectively, as announced by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Atherley, who was named the 2019 ACC Indoor Field MVP, is the first Cane to earn this award since Tabia Charles in 2006. The North Port, Fla., native was also named to the 2018 USTFCCCA Indoor All-American First Team last season.

The senior is ranked first nationally in the pentathlon with a score of 4,498 points, which also ranks as the eighth-best mark in collegiate history. Atherley dominated the event last weekend and boasted an ACC Championship record on her way to a gold medal, while besting her UM program record. Atherley also placed third in the high jump at the ACC Championships and fourth in the 60m hurdles with a personal-best time of 8.15 seconds.

Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Deem led the Canes to their third ACC indoor title in four years and fifth overall. Deem’s side posted championship records in the 60m hurdles, 400m and the 4x400m relay.

The Hall of Fame coach is currently in her 27th season with the Canes and has led Miami to four ACC Championships in the past four years, three in indoor and one in outdoor. This is the fourth time Deem has won the award.

The pair will head to Birmingham, Ala., on March 8-9 for the NCAA Indoor Championships. They will also be joined by Tiara McMinn in the 60m hurdles, Brittny Ellis in the 400m, Kayla Johnson in the 800m and the 4x400m relay team.

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