The University of Miami women’s track and field team went to the 2017 ACC Indoor Championships and left as champions for the second straight year.
After winning a year ago by just one point, the Hurricanes defended their 2016 ACC indoor championship in dominant fashion. Miami defeated Clemson by 15 points, scoring 113 points to secure its fourth ACC indoor women's team championship in program history.
“It was awesome,” UM director of track and field Amy Deem said. “They came in with a purpose and a focus. I kept waiting for the bubble to kind of burst – not that I didn’t have confidence in what we could do, but we were just kind of hitting on all cylinders. I am so pleased with the way they handled themselves and their composure and determination to repeat as ACC champions.”
The Canes eclipsed 100 points for the first time since scoring 117 in their 2006 ACC title performance. Miami also won back-to-back ACC indoor championships for the second time in program history, joining the 2005-06 consecutive team titles. With the victory, Deem is the active leader in ACC women’s indoor team titles with four.
“I’m just excited for the team,” Deem said. “I don’t really think about stuff like that, but it’s awesome. I hope it’s an inspiration for the young females out there. It’s tough to be a coach, whether you’re a man or a woman, but hopefully it gives inspiration to women that want to be head coaches.”
Shakima Wimbley made history on Saturday, becoming the first woman in ACC history to win four titles in a single event. The superstar senior, who was named ACC Women’s Track MVP for the second straight year, won her fourth consecutive indoor 200m title with a personal-best time of 22.83 seconds that set an ACC Championship record and ranks third in UM history.
“I’m grateful,” Wimbley said. “I put in a lot of hard work. I trusted in myself and in my training. I trained hard and I went for it. I just keep it simple. I go through my steps, set my blocks, talk about my race plan, mentally and physically prepare and I just go out and do what I can. I don’t really get pressured too easily. I just go out and do what I need to do.”