April 13, 2011
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Freshman Kayla Parker and junior Precious Nwokey kicked things off for the University of Kentucky track and field team at the Sea Ray Relays on Wednesday in Knoxville, Tenn. Both student-athletes competed in the heptathlon with Nwokey atop the leader board after four events.
Nwokey, the current school-record holder in the heptathlon, finished the day in first place after day one with 3,290 points. The juniors point total through four events is 59 points shy of her school-record pace, also set in Knoxville. Parker, who was competing in her first heptathlon of her young collegiate career, currently sits in sixth place with 2,876.
“Precious had a solid day out there,” assistant coach of multi-events James Thomas said. “She scratched and clawed her way through day one and has put herself in position to have a great competition overall.”
Nwokey won the 100-meter hurdles to start things off with a time of 13.86 for 998 points to take the early lead. Just behind in second, in her first heptathlon event ever, was Parker, running 14.22 for 947 points.
“Kayla did an incredible job in an event she has zero experience in,” Thomas said. “I’m looking forward to watching her close out day two and complete her first heptathlon of her young and promising career.”
With her second consecutive victory, Nwokey won the high jump clearing 1.70m/5-07.00 on her first attempt. The native of Houston gained 855 points bringing her total to 1,853 points and retained her lead after two events. Parker finished eighth, earning 610 points for jumping 1.49m/4-10.50.
In each athletes weakest event, the shot put, Nwokey finished seventh with Parker close behind in eighth. Nwokey tossed 9.62m/31-06.75 and dropped out of first place overall while Parker threw 8.78m/28-09.75.
Nwokey and Parker finished the day strong in the 200m dash, finishing first and third, respectively. Nwokey ran a career-best time in the 200m of 24.51 to earn 932 points and regained her first-place position. Parker had a great finish in third place with a time of 25.19 and 869 points to finish sixth overall.
In addition to the conclusion of the heptathlon the women’s hammer throw, involving Heather Smith for Kentucky, will begin at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Heptathlon Results (After first four events)
Overall
1. Precious Nwokey – 3,290
6. Kayla Parker – 2,876
100-Meter Hurdles
1. Precious Nwokey – 13.86 (998 points)
2. Kayla Parker – 14.22 (947 points)
High Jump
1. Precious Nwokey – 1.70m/5-07.00 (855 points)
8. Kayla Parker – 1.49m/4-10.50 (610 points)
Shot Put
7. Precious Nwokey – 9.62m/31-06.75 (505 points)
8. Kayla Parker – 8.78m/28-09.75 (450 points)
200-Meter Dash
1. Precious Nwokey – 24.51 (932 points)
3. Kayla Parker – 25.19 (869 points)
Thursday’s Schedule
3:00 p.m. Heptathlon (Last three events)
Precious Nwokey
Kayla Parker
7:00 p.m. Women’s Hammer Throw
Heather Smith
