Originally posted June 27, 2015.
Miami Hurricanes runner Shakima Wimbley makes 400 final at U.S. Track and Field Championships
BY LINDSAY ROSSMILLER
Special to the Miami Herald
EUGENE, OREGON - In an unexpected finish to the women’s 400-meter semifinal Friday night at the U.S. outdoor track and field nationals, defending Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross, didn’t make the Saturday final and the University of Miami’s Shakima Wimbley did.
The top four finishers in each semifinal qualified for the final, to be held Saturday afternoon at Hayward Field. Wimbley finished fourth in her heat in 51.09 seconds to advance. Richards-Ross ran faster, 50.95, but finished fifth in her heat, which included the top qualifier, Francena McCorory in 49.85, and the overall top three timed qualifiers.
“I’m disappointed, but God is good so there’s a reason for this,” Richards-Ross said. “So I’m just going to have to go back and figure it out.”
Wimbley ran in the first heat, seeded in the lane next to Allyson Felix.
She had left Hayward Field just two weeks ago after finishing fifth in the 400 meters at the NCAA championships, a performance that she said was disappointing. Friday, as she doubled over in the media tent still spent from her race, she said the experience helped her.
“I kind of got the jitters out being afraid to race people that are faster than me,” she said. “So it was a confidence booster.”
As she came down the final stretch, Wimbley could see she was in contention for fourth. “I just told myself, ‘Fight,’” she said. “I didn’t care that my body was starting to fatigue. I fought through it. I did it in practice, so I could do it in the meet.”
Richards-Ross felt her race come apart in the backstretch.“I kind of knew that it was a tough semi and if I didn’t run really well, there were going to be people coming on to me,” she said. “I’m disappointed, though, but it’s the way it’s meant to be today.”
Although Richards-Ross’ run to the world championship has ended for this year, she is still looking to the future. “It’s awesome to see the ladies running so well,” she said. “I’m going to get back to the drawing board, and I’ll be ready to defend my title next year.”
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/olympics/article25645600.html#storylink=cp
Miami Hurricanes triple jumper John-Patrick Friday out at NCAA Championships
BY LINDSAY ROSSMILLER
Special to the Herald
EUGENE, OREGON - University of Miami triple jumper John-Patrick Friday came off the infield of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Friday afternoon already thinking about his future.
“I’ll be back next year,” he said.
In spite of his high hopes going into the meet, Friday didn’t make the cut to be one of the nine jumpers in the final. He finished 19th overall with a wind-aided jump of 51 feet, 5 3/4 inches in his third attempt.
“I think I was just a little bit too hyped because I made it to nationals,” he said.
With the Hayward Field crowd of 11,168 roaring on a windy night packed with only national championship finals and with the junior jumper at his first NCAAs, that may be a bit of an understatement.
“I expected the crowd to be big, but once you’re on the infield it’s a whole different world,” Friday said. “It’s crazy. It’s ridiculous. I would want everybody to get to actually experience this if they get a chance.”
He knows now, though, what it will take to do it again. “Next year the goal is to go 53 (feet) because now I know what it takes to make it to the finals here at nationals.”
The winner, University of Florida senior Marquis Dendy, out jumped his nearest competition by over two feet. His wind-aided winning jump was 58-1 1/4.
Next year, Friday hopes to make qualify for NCAAs in more than just the triple jump. During the regular season, Friday competes in all the jumps—high, long and triple.
This year he battled some tendonitis in his hamstring, but said it wasn’t really a factor in his performance. “I still felt it a little bit, but I was trying to keep it out of mind,” said Friday. “I felt like I did OK. Clearly not as good as I wanted to do, but like I said, I’m a junior, first time here at nationals. I just hope to get better.”
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/acc/university-of-miami/article23934010.html#storylink=cpy