UTEP Miners Shine at Trials
UTEP track and field sprinter Aiyanna Stiverne will be going for gold in the 4x400m relay at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Eugene, Ore, from July 22-27.
Stiverne earned the opportunity to represent the United States on the world stage after registering a personal-best of 54.10 in the 400m dash at the USATF Junior Outdoor Championships in Eugene on July 6th.
The Florida native placed sixth overall, warranting her a spot on the U.S.A Junior’s 4x400m relay team.
In her first season with the Orange and Blue, Stiverne helped the UTEP women’s 4x400m relay squad to both indoor and outdoor Conference USA titles. The freshman also aided the Miners’ 4×100 relay team to a bid to the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Championships, for the first since 2008.
She will return to Hayward Field for the 4x400m relay prelims on July 26th.
Representing the Miners on the field this summer were Nickevea Wilson and Samantha Hall, whocompeted in the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) National Senior Trials
Wilson claimed bronze in the women’s triple jump, as she recorded her fourth leap over 13 meters with a mark of 13.18m (43-24), -0.7.
The All-American concluded her junior season with a top-10 finish at the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Championships with a jump of 12.84m (42-1.5), +3.6. She also captured gold in the triple jump at the 2014 C-USA Outdoor Championships, where she set a personal-best leap of 13.38m (23-10.75)
Also competing in the JAAA National Senior Trials was the freshman Hall. The newcomer placed sixth in the discus throw with a toss of 48.10m (157-8).
In her first season with the Miners, Hall qualifed for regionals after recording a bronze-medal toss of 52.49m (172-02) at the C-USA Championships.
Competing at the Nigerian Trials were sprinter Abiola Onakoya and UTEP alum Blessing Okagbare.
While an injury late in the season slowed progression for Onakoya, his performance on the track still garnered national recognition.
On the first day of the trials that kicked off on June 19, the senior placed first in the last heat of the day with a time of 46.87. He rounded out the meet, placing sixth in the final.
Former Miner Okagbare garnered her sixth consecutive crown in the 100m with 11.06, out running Tulane alum, Gloria Asumnu, who finished second at 11.17.
The All-American continued her success as she claimed gold in the 200m, crossing the finish line at 22.62.
Most recently, Okagbare captured first in the 200m dash at the 2014 Meeting Areva – IAAF Diamond League in Paris, France on July 5th.
The former national champion clocked in a time of 22.32 to secure her ninth Diamond League title.
