Women’s Track Jumps Eight Spots to No. 15
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s track and field team entered the top-15 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 vaulted up eight spots to No. 15, appearing in the USTFCCCA top 25 for the second consecutive week. Sixteen marks combined to make up Miami’s team score of 105.51 points.
This week’s rankings are the first without any preseason marks and they show that the Hurricanes are built for long-term success. Nine of Miami’s 16 scored marks were produced by freshmen, a number that leads all 189 ranked women’s teams in this edition of the USTFCCCA National Team Computer Rankings.
The newest mark factoring into Miami’s team score comes in the women’s heptathlon, as Michelle Atherley’s school record score of 5,816 points from the Brian Clay Invitational ranks 10thnationally.
Miami has 12 of its 16 scored marks coming on the track. The Hurricanes’ 4x100m team of Kristina Knott, Alfreda Steele, Mason and Tiara McMinn are ranked eighth with a time of 43.54 seconds. Miami’s 4x400m relay time of 3:33.19 run by Symone Mason, Samantha Gonzalez, Atherley and Kayla Johnson is ranked ninth.
Johnson scores twice as an individual for the Hurricanes, ranked third in the women’s 800m and 27thin the 400m. Steele also scored twice for the Canes in the sprints, sitting 31stin the 100m and 41stin the 200m, while Mason is 42ndin the 100m and 38thin the 200m.
The Canes have four scored marks in the hurdles, as Anna Runia is 10thin the 400m hurdles with a time of 57.64 seconds and Gonzalez’s 400m hurdles time of 57.89 seconds ranks 16th. McMinn is 28thin the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.21 seconds and Atherley is 36thin the 100m hurdles at 13.28 seconds.
Miami also has three marks in the field events with all three coming from the throws. Zakiya Rashid is ranked 17thin the discus with a mark of 55.68m, while Debbie Ajagbe’s mark of 55.07m is 20thin the discus. The freshman Ajagbe also score in the hammer throw, as her mark of 60.51m ranks 44th.
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.
The Hurricanes will head to Fayetteville, Ark., to compete at the National Relay Championships on April 27-28. To view the complete Miami Track and Field schedule for the 2018 season, click here.
For all the latest information on the Miami Hurricanes, follow the official Twitter feed, @MiamiHurricanes, or “Like Us” on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MiamiHurricanes. Follow @CanesTrack on Twitter for specific news on UM track and field and cross country. The program is also on Instagram.
