June 11, 2009
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –
The University of Kentucky men’s track and field team secured three individual bids to event finals on the second day of the 2009 NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships at host University of Arkansas’ John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Ark., Thursday.
After advancing to two event finals on day one, junior Rondel Sorrillo had continued success on the track on day two by winning his 200m dash semifinal heat. He crossed the finish line in 20.45, breaking his UK varsity record set two weeks ago at the Mideast Regional. His time was the second-fastest finish of the semifinals. Sorrillo advances to Saturday’s 200m final broadcast live nationally on CBS. Earlier in the day, he won his first round heat in the men’s 200m dash in a time of 20.87. He led after the curve, taking over the lead through the final 100 meters.
Seniors Chase Madison and Rashaud Scott both advanced to the final of the men’s discus scheduled for Saturday morning. After three throws, Scott stands fourth at 193-8, while Madison ranks 10th with a mark of 187-9.
Scott accomplished his best throw in flight one on his third and final qualifying attempt to move from ninth to first prior to flight two. Scott is defending his 2008 national title in the event. Two weeks ago at the Mideast Regional he threw a personal-best mark of 216-2 that set the UK varsity record and leads the nation. Only eight men in the world have thrown the discus further in sanctioned competitions this year
Madison was part of a competitive and deep flight two. Throwing last in the flight, Madison’s first throw moved him into ninth overall where he remained until the final round before settling into tenth place. Martin Maric of California is in first after a top qualifying throw of 201-10.
The men’s 4x400m relay team consisting of junior Kwasi Obeng, senior Stephan Smith, classmate Brandon Austin and senior Jose Acevedo finished fifth in their semifinal heat. The Wildcats’ turned in a time of 3:08.15 to place 16th overall nationally.
In the women’s discus qualifying, veteran thrower Ashley Muffet placed 17th overall with a top throw of 161-2. Meanwhile, senior Emilee Strot finished in 22nd overall for the second straight season at nationals with a distance measuring 153-7.
On day one of the women’s heptathlon, senior Ashley Trimble completed the first four events to total 3,240 points, good for 19th place overall. In the day’s final event, she placed 11th in the 200m dash, clocking in with a personal-best time of 24.69. Trimble threw a mark of 38-00 in the shot put, just shy of her personal-best. In the second event, the Columbus, Ohio, native cleared the high jump bar at 5-0.5. Trimble opened the day by taking sixth place in the 100m hurdles crossing the line in 13.67.
Only a handful of Wildcats will be in action on day three of the Championships, Friday.
At 2:45 p.m. ET, Trimble will begin day two of competition in the women’s heptathlon. She will look to improve her standing in the final three events: long jump, javelin and the 800m run.
During primetime coverage on CBS College Sports Television, the UK men’s 4x100m relay team of senior Gordon McKenzie, classmate Acevedo, junior Kwasi Obeng and Sorrillo will take the track at 7:15 p.m. ET in the event final. In their semifinal heat Wednesday, the Cats placed seventh overall and turned in a season-best time of 39.21 to advance. The team’s finish topped the mark they set at the Mideast Regional two weeks ago that ranked third all-time at UK.
Sorrillo will compete in the Wildcats’ first individual event final at 8:45 p.m. in the men’s 100m dash. He was the lone at-large qualifier by time joining the top four automatic qualifiers from each semifinal heat. In the 100m dash first round Wednesday, the native of Trinidad and Tobago crossed the finish line in 10.30 – his personal-best time as a Wildcat. Sorrillo’s time ranks eighth all-time at UK.
All field events will have a day of qualifying followed later in the week by the event final. Short-distance running events will have first round heats followed by semifinal heats and finally the event final on the third or fourth day. Relays and distance events will conduct just a semifinal and final round over two days.
Live stats will be available from the UKathletics.com homepage. Arkansas and CBS College Sports Television will be streaming portions of the event. On Friday evening, CBS College Sports Television will broadcast track event finals from the Championships live from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. ET. On Saturday, CBS TV will broadcast the running event finals live from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. ET.
A full recap of Wildcat performances and a preview of the next day’s events will be available after each day of competition on UKathletics.com.
Kentucky NCAA Championship Meet Participation Schedule – Day Three
Women’s Heptathlon Day Two – Friday 2:45 p.m. ET
Ashley Trimble
Men’s 4×100 Meter Relay Final – Friday 7:15 p.m. ET
Gordon McKenzie / Jose Acevedo / Kwasi Obeng / Rondel Sorrillo
Men’s 100 Meter Dash Final – Friday 8:45 p.m. ET
Rondel Sorrillo
