Johnson Wins Third ACC Performer of the Week

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami’s Kayla Johnson was named ACC Women’s Outdoor Track Performer of the Week for the third time this season, as announced by the conference office Tuesday.
 
Johnson won the women’s 800m at the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational with a personal-best time of 2:03.04 that ranks second in the NCAA. The freshman’s time also broke her own previous school record of 2:03.92 that she set at Florida Relays on March 30. Johnson’s time was the second-fastest 800m time in the country this weekend and it leads both the ACC and NCAA East region.
 
“Kayla is the spark right now,” Miami director of track and field/cross country Amy Deem said following her record-setting performance on Saturday. “She’s responding when challenged and she is coming out and competing like a champ and that’s whys he’s where she’s at. I’m very proud of the way she ran. It wasn’t the best day to run an 800.”

A Hurricane has earned an ACC Performer of the Week honor in five consecutive weeks. Johnson opened the outdoor season with her first selection on March 20, followed by freshman Kevin Arreaga on March 27, Johnson again on April 3, junior Samantha Gonzalez on April 10 and Johnson for a third time on April 17. Additionally, freshman Hasani Knight and junior Michelle Atherley earned ACC Performer of the Week honors during the indoor season, giving the Canes five different individual winners and seven total honors in 2018.
 
The Hurricanes will head to Charlottesville, Va., to compete at the Virginia Challenge on April 20-21. To view the complete Miami Track and Field schedule for the 2018 season, click here.
 
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