Hurricanes Travel to New Mexico, Moore and Varela Break Into Program Top Five
Albuquerque, N.M. – The University of Miami track and field team traveled to New Mexico Friday and Saturday to compete in the New Mexico Collegiate Classic.
There was some serious competition on display at the event, as teams begin to set their sights on conference and national championships.
The hurricanes found themselves being able to rise to the occasion in multiple events.
Graduate student Décio Andrade found success once again in the men’s hammer throw, registering a 21.64m on his final attempt to send him into the third-place spot. Décio continues to put on a show, as he has now placed top three in every indoor meet this season in this event.
Senior Ayman Zahafi created some magic on his own, taking the second-place spot in the men’s 800m run, earning a time of 1:47.44, tacking on his second top-three finish of the indoor season.
The hurricanes continued their success in the 800m on the women’s side of things as Natalie Varela, the Miami and Gulliver Prep native, placed third with a time of 2:06.52. This is a new indoor personal best for Varela when it comes to the 800m, and like Zahafi, her second top-three finish this season.
Hannah Sophia-Hall had yet another solid performance in the women’s shot put on Saturday, throwing a 16.90 and claiming the fourth-place spot.
Sticking with field events, junior Ashley Moore made some noise in the women’s triple jump, recording a score of 12.97m to earn a third-place finish. Not only did Moore break into the top three for the event, but her score is now ranked number five in the program’s indoor triple jump records.
Wrapping up Saturday, the women’s 4×400 squad, composed of Moriah Oliveira, Gabriella Grissom, Sanaa Hebron, and Blanca Hervas earned the bronze with a time of 3:34.10.
The team will then travel to Clemson, South Carolina on February 10-11. The Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson will be the last indoor meet before the ACC Championships, which are scheduled for February 23-25 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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