Back-to-back big weekends for Wimbley

Miami (Florida) senior adds world lead in indoor 400 meters at Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational to college-best and world No. 2 in 300 at Virginia Tech Invitational

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Two weekends, two college-leading performances and one world leader for Miami (Florida) senior star Shakima Wimbley.

After becoming the No. 4 all-time collegiate performer in the women’s indoor 300 meters by clocking 36.72 seconds Jan. 14 at the Virginia Tech Invitational, Wimbley ran a personal-best Saturday to win the indoor 400 at Kentucky’s Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational at Nutter Field House in Lexington.

Wimbley ran 51.28 to take over the indoor 400 world lead, setting meet and program records. She improved on her 51.82 from the same meet two years ago.

“Today, I went out and executed my race,” Wimbley told HurricaneSports.com.

“I listened to my coach and I was confident enough to follow through. We both knew if I put it together right that I’d do well and I did just that.”

USC junior Kendall Ellis ran the No. 2 indoor time in the world this year to place second in 51.52 and set a new Trojans' program record.

Ellis and Wimbley also battled in the 4x400 relay, with USC winning in a world-leading 3:31.73, followed by Baylor in second in 3:32.09 and Miami third in 3:33.43. USC’s performance was No. 3 in program history, Baylor’s was a team indoor record and Miami’s effort was the school’s fifth-fastest all-time.

Wimbley’s effort in the indoor 300 ranks No. 2 in the world this year, trailing only the American record 35.71 set Jan. 7 by Quanera Hayes at the Clemson Orange and Purple Classic.