Women's Track and Field | 4/3/2015 11:23:00 PM
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The surprising news startled Coppin State junior
Tanaya Yarde.
"Wait, I got a school record?," Yarde said.
Yep, you sure did.
Yarde cemented a week to remember with a performance to cherish in the 400-meter hurdles by finishing the race in a school record and personal best time of 1 minute, .59 seconds on the second day of the 76th Annual Florida Relays at the Percy Beard Track Friday afternoon. Her performance was the centerpiece of a strong day for the Coppin State women's track and field team.
Yarde's amazing effort erased Felisha Harris' previous school standard of 1:01.86 that was set on April 20, 1991.
"It feels amazing to break a school record especially in college," Yarde said. "I honestly never thought that I would do that in college even though coming from high school that's all I did."
It was the perfect finish for Yarde to a week that started by winning the 400-meter hurdles and earning a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) qualifying time Wednesday at the Savannah State Twilight Meet. She cruised to victory in 1:01.61, which at the time was the best mark in the event by any MEAC student-athlete.
These performances could be the start of a special outdoor season for Yarde, who enjoyed a decorated high school career in which she was one of the best athletes to ever run for Mount Vernon (New York). She's tasted success briefly during her two-year career at Coppin State.
"This type of performance was a long time coming for Tanaya," Coppin State head women's track and field coach
Alecia Shields-Gadson said. "I am excited to see her begin to race to her potential."
While she's beginning to produce big results on the track, Yarde's best work has occurred in solitude. Yarde, who earned All-MEAC indoor honors as a member of the 4 x 400-meter relay, has been motivated and focused this outdoor season for the Lady Eagles.
"My training before the race was intense as always," Yarde said. "Most of the time, I'm running alone due to my class schedule so I really push myself when we do long workouts like 400s and 300s. I like to do the workout hard so that when I run in a real race, it's almost too easy."
Yarde was satisfied with her record-setting performance, but like any elite athlete, she has more she wants to accomplish this season.
"My race today was great," Yarde said. "I ran my first 200-meters strong and I kept it going throughout. I still have a lot to work on because I want to close out the season with at least a 56-57, so I have some ways to go but I'm just going to keep working at it."
Junior
Melissa Caddle-Hope achieved a MEAC qualifying mark by running a season best 54.49 seconds in the 400-meters. Caddle-Hope and Yarde was part of the Eagles' 4 x 400-meter relay team that included
Alexis Marsh and
Miriam Ekwuru. They finished 16th overall in a time of 3:43.47. Junior All-American
Deandra Daniel was 10th in the high jump (1.78 meters).
The meet concludes Saturday.
