Hurricanes Complete Tom Jones Memorial
Jan. 24, 2009
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Miami track and field team competed in the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational at the University of Florida Stephen O’Connell Center on Saturday. On the day, one Hurricane came away with an overall victory and three others reached provisional marks.
Miami junior Mikese Morse reached a distance of 7.54m (24-09.00) in his first of six attempts in the long jump. The mark was good enough for Morse’s first individual victory as a Hurricane and was his second provision mark in as many weeks. The transfer from USF also came in second place in the triple jump with a mark of a 15.34m (50-04.00), falling just short of a provisional qualification.
“We are looking for big things from Mikese,” said Director of Track and Field Amy Deem. “To see him continue to succeed in the long jump and excel in his first triple jump of the season was very exciting.”
Jason Johnson improved upon his mark from a week ago with a leap of 6.23m (20-05.25). The freshman also reached 13.19m (43-03.25) in the triple jump.
Junior Ashley Dukes also won her preliminary heat in the 55-meter dash and led three Hurricanes into the finals. Dukes finished a fraction of a second ahead of her teammate, sophomore Tara Thomas. Both Dukes and Thomas finished with provisional times of 6.92. Junior Kristy Whyte finished with a time of 6.99.
“It was great to see Ashley come back strong after missing last season,” said Deem. “She had a great improvement from just a week ago. I was pleased with both Ashley and Tara.”
In her first action of the year in the 55-meter hurdles, sophomore All-American Ti’erra Brown crossed the finish line with provisional time of 7.84 seconds.
In his first collegiate action on the track, freshman Travis Benjamin won his preliminary heat of the 55-meter dash with a time of 6.45. In the finals, the Belle Glade, Fla. native improved on that time with a finish at 6.40, good for ninth overall.
“Having Travis come out and perform like he did in his first meet was great for him and the team,” added Deem.
In the women’s long jump, junior Deandra Doyley placed third with a 5.91m (19-04.75) leap. Freshman Brittni Finch came in sixth place with a mark of 5.66m (18-07.00). Improving on her mark by over a foot from the Kentucky Invitational, was junior Christina Madry who leapt to a distance of 5.42m (17-09.00). Freshman Brittney Clark made her collegiate debut with a 10th place finish at 5.27m (17-03.50).
Senior All-American Ena Leufroy placed seventh in the 800-meters with a time of 2:16.81. Two Miami runners placed in the top-10 for the men. Senior Patrick O’Donnell finished sixth at 1:54.58 while freshman Brian Laskowski was ninth at 1:56.41.
In the high jump, sophomore Megan Novinger had the best jump of her indoor career, coming second with a height of 1.68m (5-06.00).
In the one mile run, senior Andrew Chuplis cut nearly a second off his week one time for a ninth place finish at 4:25.29. Chuplis also ran in the 3,000-meters and placed eighth at 8:56.66. Freshman Anna Bona led a trio of Miami women in the mile with a time 5:17.23. Emma Steppe and Bona finished back-to back in the 3,000-meters at 10:42.69 and 10:43.19 respectively.
The women’s 4×400 relay team of Brown, Jameson, Murielle Ahoure and Whyte were the second collegiate team to cross the line at 3:41.99.
In his season debut, sophomore Patrick Blackie ran a 50.17 in the 400-meters. Freshman Anthony Kieron ran a 52.27. For the women, sophomore Tameka Jameson (55.95) and junior Mikaela Green (59.24) ran the 400-meters.
“We made some improvements this weekend as a team,” said Deem. “We are excited to see what lies ahead for us, leading up to the ACC Championships.”
Miami returns to the track on Feb. 6-7 for the Virginia Tech Elite in Blacksburg, Va.
