May 3, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Kentucky thrower Ashley Muffet began her senior year in third-place all-time in school history for the women’s discus but has incrementally improved her standing this season by almost 18 feet. She took over the UK record this weekend with an NCAA regional-qualifying throw of 187-8 and broke the Owens Stadium Record at Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Track Classic in Columbus.
The former UK women’s discus record of 185-10 was held by Ildiko Varga and set in 2006.
Besides her new discus record, Muffet also posted two additional regional-qualifying marks at the Classic. She placed fourth in the women’s shot put with a distance of 51-6.50. In the hammer, Muffet threw 185-2 to claim fifth place. She currently ranks among the top five athletes in the Southeastern Conference in each of her three events.
Muffet was not the only Wildcat to set a record this weekend. In the men’s 3,000m steeplechase, Luis Orta set the freshman record with a regional-qualifying finish of 8:58.83. Orta’s time is his collegiate best and ranks fifth all-time at UK.
Two other Cats won events in addition to Muffet. In the men’s discus, senior Rashaud Scott threw a regional-qualifying mark of 190-7 to take first place. Sophomore David Banks won the men’s triple jump title with a regional-qualifying leap of 50-4.75.
Senior Chase Madison was the only other Wildcat besides Muffet to attain multiple regional-qualifying marks. In the men’s shot put, he threw a mark of 57-11.75 to finish third. His throw of 186-8 in the men’s discus also ranked third.
Six others earned regional-qualifying marks for the Blue and White this weekend.
Three throwers earned marks on the infield. Senior Emilee Strot’s throw of 166-9 was good for fifth place in the women’s discus. In the women’s shot put, sophomores Jennifer Svoboda and Mary Angell threw marks of 47-9.75 and 47-9.25, respectively, to place 10th and 11th overall.
On the track, seniors took home the other three marks. In the women’s 800m run, Jessica Ortman finished second in a time of 2:08.16. On the men’s side, Stephan Smith turned in a third-place time of 1:50.19 in the 800m. Jose Acevedo also placed third in the men’s 200m dash, clocking in at 21.30.
Three women turned in personal-best marks in running events this weekend. Freshman Precious Nwokey turned in a time of 1:02.25 to finish 11th overall in the 400m hurdles and move into UK’s top-10 all-time list at the ninth position. Sophomore Danielle Sampley crossed the finish at 12.02 in the 100m dash to finish seventh. In the 200m dash, sophomore Jazmyn Shorter clocked in at 24.50 to place eighth.
Several other Wildcats achieved top-10 event finishes this weekend.
Senior Ashley Trimble nabbed two. She finished 10th in both the women’s 100m hurdles (14.06) and the women’s long jump (18-5.25).
Junior Kwasi Obeng finished sixth overall in the men’s 200m dash, running a time of 21.66.
Classmate Geoffrey Daley took home seventh in the 110m hurdles in a time of 14.68.
In the women’s pole vault, junior Mary Chris Durham cleared 11-7.75 to finish seventh.
In addition to his discus title, Scott placed 10th in the men’s shot put with a heave of 52-10.25.
Sophomore Colin Boevers threw 166-9 in the men’s discus to claim 10th place.
The Wildcats will take next week off for finals and in preparation for the SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the University of Florida May 14-17.
