Five Canes Register Top 5 Program Marks
CLEMSON, S.C. – Five members of the Miami track and field program recorded marks and times in Miami’s top five program records on the first day of the Tiger Paw Invitational.
Alfreda Steele boasted a personal-best time of 7.25 seconds in the 60m semifinals to qualify for the finals, which ranks as third-fastest time in program history. Steele finished sixth in the final with a time of 7.29 seconds.
“It’s a start for something really big for Freda,” Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Amy Deem said. “I think she’s going to run even better at conference, too. It’s also going to help her and show in her 100m outdoors.”
Freshman Jacious Sears also registered a personal best time in the semis at 7.28 seconds, which ranks as No. 3 in Miami history.
“She had a great race, while just missing the final in pretty much an NCAA Championship race,” Deem said. “The composure and overall competitiveness of the two of them was great and I’m super happy for them.”
Junior Tiara McMinn reached Friday’s finals in the 60m hurdles, finishing fourth with her time of 8.04 seconds.
Sophomore Davonte Fuller also broke into Miami’s top five records in the men’s 400m dash with his time of 47.49. The time ranks as the No. 4 time in school history. Edward Wintergalen also competed in the 400m, finishing with a season-best time of 48.97 seconds.
“It was a great race for Davonte with a lot going on in his race, including the two people going down,” Deem said. “That’s indoor track though. He stayed composed and I’m proud of the way he handled himself.”
On the women’s side, Brittny Ellis finished 13th in the 400m with a season-best time of 53.18 seconds. Kayla Johnson finished close behind with her time of 53.68 seconds.
“I was really happy with Kayla’s race, we just have to work on her first 200m,” Deem said. “Where we are though, it’s good and will set her up to run a good 800m and Brittny made a break through last week and she’s right where she needs to be for running at ACCs next week.”
Debbie Ajagbe won the women’s weight throw with a personal-best mark of 21.13m, which improves her No. 5 mark in Miami history. Sherry Lubin also recorded a personal-best mark in the event at 18.19m, while finishing 12th. Hannah-Sophia Hall finished at No. 15 with her mark of 17.33m. Kevin Arreaga finished sixth on the men’s side with his mark of 20.48m.
Russell Robinson was the final Cane to boost his top five mark in program history with his mark of 7.43m in the long jump. Robinson’s mark gave him a top 10 finish at No. 8. Hasani Knight finished with a mark of 6.65m, while Kevin Snyder finished at 6.51m.
Miami continues its final day of competition before ACC Indoor Championships on Saturday with the women’s high jump and shot put along with the men’s triple jump.
