Ahoure, Brown and Nelms Lead Hurricanes at Virginia Tech
Feb. 6, 2009
BLACKSBURG, Va. – The University of Miami track and field teams wrapped up the first day of competition at the Virginia Tech Elite in the Rector Field House. Senior Murielle ran an automatic qualifying time in each the preliminary heat and the finals in the 60-meter dash.
Only three meets into Ahoure’s Hurricane career, the Bristow, Va. native has sprinted her way to the World’s-fastest time in 2009, reached three automatic qualifying times, has broken Lauryn Williams’ 60-meter school record and has won each individual event she has participated in.
Ahoure led three Miami sprinters in the 60-meter final after running a 7.24 in the preliminary round. Joining the All-American in the finals were sophomores Charlene Fuller and Tara Thomas. Fuller placed fifth with a time of 7.59 and Thomas was right behind her at 7.62.
Fuller raced to a third-place finish in the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.54. Thomas also ran in the 200-meters, finishing ninth.
In the men’s 60-meter hurdles, junior Cory Nelms won his preliminary heat and was advanced to the finals with teammate Devon Hill. In the finals, Nelms took the top-time at 8.01 and Hill was seventh at 8.15.
After running a provisional time of 8.34 second in the women’s 60-meter hurdles in the preliminary heat, sophomore All-American Ti’erra Brown ran her personal-best time in winning the finals at 7.34. The Hampton, Va. native replaces her career mark for fifth in school history in the event.
Miami senior, Patrick O’Donnell ran his season-best time in the 800-meters with a fifth-place finish at 1:53.60. Freshman Brian Laskowski bested his season-high by more than two seconds as he crossed the line at 1:54.32. Former Hurricane great an volunteer assistant coach Tim Harris won the event as an unattached runner, with a time of 1:51.77.
Freshmen Travis Benjamin and Davon Johnson finished consecutively in the 60-meter dash prelims at 6.97 and 7.00 seconds, falling just short of advancing to the finals.
Junior Deandra Doyley placed fourth in the long jump with a season-best mark of 5.99m (19-08.00). Freshman Brittni Finch finished right behind her at 5.92 (19-05.25).
In her first attempt in the 400-meter dash this season, junior Kristy Whyte ran a 56.47 for a third-place finish.
The Hurricanes return the Rector Field House tomorrow as they wrap up the Virginia Tech Elite.
