LEXINGTON, Ky. ? Fresh off a strong indoor season that saw Kentucky win two individual Southeastern Conference Championships and post a runner-up finish in the men’s 4×400 relay at the NCAA Championships, the Wildcats begin their 2007 outdoor track and field schedule on Friday at the Shamrock Invitational in Conway, S.C.

The two-day event, hosted by Coastal Carolina University at the Coastal Carolina Track and Field Facility, is the first of seven regular-season meets for the Wildcats during the 2007 outdoor slate and features 31 teams.

The Wildcats, who won the SEC Indoor Title in both the women?s shot put (Ashley Muffet) and the men?s 4×400 relay, had an incredibly strong outdoor season last year that included the shattering of numerous school records and personal bests.

Five Kentucky athletes advanced to the outdoor championships last season. Distance runner John Richardson captured the SEC Championship in the 1,500 meter and Lavera Morris earned All-America honors in the 800 meter

Assistant coaches Doug Reynolds and Erin Tucker each were recognized as NCAA Division I outdoor assistant coaches of the year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association last year.

Complete results and a recap of this weekend?s action will be available at ukathletics.com.