FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. ? University of Kentucky athletes Lavera Morris and Jenna Martin qualified for event finals during day one of the NCAA Indoor Championships Friday at the University of Arkansas? Tyson Track Complex in Fayetteville, Ark. Morris will race in the women?s 800 meter run while Martin will run the 400 meter dash Saturday evening.
Morris finished fifth in the first heat of the women’s 800 meter run with a time of 2:06.98. The top two times in both heats plus the next top four times overall make the final. The veteran qualified as the third-best time after the automatic qualifiers, and ranks fifth overall going into the final. The former All-American competes in the 800m final Saturday at 7:45 p.m. ET.
Sprinter Jenna Martin won the second of five heats in the women’s 400m dash with a time of 53.13. The sophomore qualified for the event final scheduled at 8:05 p.m. ET by placing fifth overall in the prelims.
In the men?s 200 meter dash prelims, sprinter Jose Acevedo ran a personal best and improved his third-best all-time mark at UK crossing the line at 20.99. The junior finished tenth overall in the event, missing the finals by just 0.10 seconds.
Freshman Derrick Locke finished seventh in his long jump flight and tied for 11th overall. The freshman record holder at UK reached a distance of 24-11 on his second attempt of the evening.
Senior John Richardson fell halfway through his mile run preliminary heat. The distance specialist was able to recover and finish the race but fell 100 meters behind the lead pack to finish 14th overall in a time of 4:24.40.
Hurdler Mikel Thomas finished seventh in his heat of the 60m hurdles, clocking in at 7.94. The junior did not qualify for the event finals after finishing 15th overall. The top eight times were all 7.76 and under.
Junior Rashaud Scott fouled on his only three attempts in the first flight of the men’s shot put. Scott was one of two flight-one finalists to foul out on the day, thus unable to advance to the event finals.
Two Cats and a relay team will make their Championship debut Saturday.
Thrower Andy Fryman will compete in the men?s weight throw at 3:00 p.m. ET Saturday. Last week at Virginia Tech, the senior set a new men?s weight throw school record with a toss of 67-3.50.
Junior Ashley Muffet earned All-America honors last season after finishing ninth in the shot put. The thrower comes into this year?s competition ranked eighth in the nation with a distance measuring 55-3. Muffet competes in the infield at 5:30 p.m. ET Saturday.
Two members of the men?s 4×400 meter relay squad that earned All-America honors after a second-place finish in 2007 also make a return trip to the Championships competing at 9:05 p.m. ET.
Senior Nathan Browning and junior Jose Acevedo each will make a third consecutive appearance in the Championships as members of the men?s 4×400 meter relay team. The relay teammates will be joined by senior Stephan Smith and sophomore Kwasi Obeng. The foursome earned an NCAA nod based on its run at the Iowa State Qualifier last Saturday clocking in with a season-best time of 3:07.35, ranked tenth in the nation.
Big Blue fans will have the opportunity to watch the Wildcats compete live and free of charge on the internet this weekend. The NCAA is providing a live video stream of the entire championship. The feed begins with the start of competition at Noon ET Saturday. To view the feed go to the NCAA Championships webpage off www.ladybacks.com and click on the live video link. Live UK results and text commentary will be available through ukathletics.com throughout the two-day event on the track and field page.
ESPN360 will televise the 2008 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships over select internet providers live on Saturday. A tape-delayed recap of the Championships will be broadcast on ESPN2 on Thursday, March 20 at 2 p.m. ET.
The UK men?s squad is ranked 19th in the country this week, while the Wildcat women?s team is 25th nationally.
A full recap of the Cats? performances will be available after competition Saturday on UKathletics.com.
Kentucky NCAA Championship Participants Competing on Saturday Mar. 15
Men?s Weight Throw ? 3:00 p.m. ET
Andy Fryman
Women?s Shot Put ? 5:30 p.m. ET
Ashley Muffett
Women?s 800 Meter Run Final ? 7:45 p.m. ET
Lavera Morris
Women?s 400 Meter Dash Final ? 8:05 p.m. ET
Jenna Martin
Men?s 4×400 Meter Relay ? 9:05 p.m. ET
Nathan Browning, Kwasi Obeng, Stephan Smith, Jose Acevedo
Kentucky NCAA Championship Participant Finishes on Friday Mar. 14
Women?s 800 Meter Run Preliminaries
5. Lavera Morris ? 2:06.98 ? QUALIFIED FOR EVENT FINAL
Women?s 400 Meter Dash Preliminaries
5. Jenna Martin ? 53.13 – QUALIFIED FOR EVENT FINAL
Men?s 200 Meter Dash Preliminaries
10. Jose Acevedo ? 20.99
Men?s Long Jump
12. Derrick Locke ? 24-11
Men?s Mile Preliminaries
14. John Richardson ? 4:24.40
Men?s 60 Meter Hurdles Preliminaries
15. Mikel Thomas ? 7.94
Men?s Shot Put
Rashaud Scott ? no distance
