Jan. 6, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky Men’s Track and Field team enters the 2010 season ranked No. 17 according to the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Indoor Preseason Top-25 Poll, announced late Tuesday.
In a highly talented Southeastern Conference, UK is one of seven conference teams ranked in the USTFCCCA indoor preseason poll. Florida is the highest ranked at No. 2, followed by Arkansas (No. 5), LSU (No. 9), South Carolina (No. 12), Auburn (No. 15) and Georgia (No. 19).
Headlining the Wildcats is five-time All-American and 2008 Olympian Rondel Sorrillo. The Kentucky sprinter placed third nationally in the 200 meter dash and broke the 15-year-old school record in the event with a time of 20.72, on the first day of competition at the 2009 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in College Station, Texas. Earlier in the year at the SEC Indoor Championships Sorrillo was .06 away from setting a school record in the 60 meter dash with a time of 6.60. Sorrillo, who is poised to further his success moving into the 2010 indoor season, is a native of Trinidad and Tobago and competed for that nation in the Olympics.
A noticeable staple of Kentucky track and field has been its 4×400 relay. Kwasi Obeng, a member of the 2008 school record holding outdoor 4×400 team, returns to continue the tradition. Also, sophomore Justin Austin was part of the 2009 NCAA Indoor Semifinalist in the 4×400 along with Obeng.
Keenon Hall, a transfer from reigning NCAA outdoor champion Texas A&M, is a key addition to elevate an already strong jumping corps. Adding Hall to Kentucky long jump record holder Derrick Locke and triple jump Regional Semifinalist in 2008 and Finalist in 2009 David Banks, look to make huge strides in the SEC and secure NCAA bids.
Colin Boevers, coming off a freshman season full of acknowledgments including 2008 NCAA Mideast Regional Semifinalist in discus and a top five discus finish in 2009 at the SEC Championships returns for his junior season as the No. 2 discus thrower in the SEC. Boevers has also made great strides in shot put getting ready for the 2010 indoor season.
The UK Women’s Track and Field team is ranked No. 43 according to USTFCCCA and No. 8 in the Southeastern Conference.
