The University of Kentucky track and field teams will compete at the 2006 NCAA Outdoor Championships, June 7-10, in Sacramento, Calif. Both sqauds will combine to send 12 individuals. The final day of the meet (Sat.) will be televised by CBS from 3:30 p.m. ET until 6 p.m. Live scoring for the meet will be available on ukathletics.com.
NCAA Championships Preview – MEN
Gordon McKenzie – 100
McKenzie is one of two UK sprinters to reach the NCAA Championships in their first season of collegiate competition. The Queens, N.Y. native ran an impressive 10.29w personal-best in the 100 at the Mideast Regional to earn an NCAA berth. McKenzie enters the meet 24th out of the 27-man field. Wisconsin?s Demi Omole comes in with the fastest time in the country (9.96) after finishing third last year. Walter Dix of Florida State returns after winning in 2005.
Jose Acevedo – 200
Acevedo is the second UK frosh sprinter to reach the postseason. The Venezuelan native broke the UK freshman record with a PR mark of 20.79w at the regional meet. Acevedo ranks 23rd out of 26th entries. LSU?s Kelly Willie is the No. 1 seed with a season-best time of 20.21. Dix is the top returner from last year after finishing fourth (20.44).
Dedrick Tillerson – 400 hurdles
Tillerson, a senior, will close out his career with his first-ever NCAA Championships appearance. The Kentucky native ran close to a one-second PR (50.29) at the regional meet and ranks 11th out of 26 hurdlers set to compete in Sacramento. Michael Tinsley of Jackson State owns the fastest mark in the country (48.63) after finishing third in ?05. Current pro and ex-Florida standout Kerron Clement broke the NCAA meet record last season with a time of 47.56.
John Richardson – 1,500
Richardson will also be making his first NCAA Championships appearance. The sophomore won the SEC meet and placed second at regionals. His personal-best of 3:43.90 ranks him 18th out of the 26-man field. Stephan Pifer of Colorado owns the fastest time in the nation at 3:40.70. Florida?s Shane Stroup, who Richardson beat at the SEC Championships, ranks second (3:40.85). Sophomore Leonel Manzamo is back to defend his title after surprising the field last season with a blistering time of 3:37.13.
4×400 Relay
The relay squad of sophomore Nathan Browning, Acevedo, sophomore Justin Harrison and junior Luis Luna ranks second in the field of 18 with a season-best mark of 3:02.97). LSU comes in ranked No. 1 (3:02.30) after winning last year?s meet in 2:59.59.
Andy Fryman – Shot Put
Fryman?s PR of 63-4.25 is the 11th-best mark out of the 27 throwers in this year?s field. Sheldon Battle of Kansas, who was formerly under the tutelage of current UK throws coach Doug Reynolds, is the top returner after placing second last year (66-7.25). Florida State?s Garrett Johnson is the No. 1 seed with a season-best toss of 68-4.50.
NCAA Championships Preview – WOMEN
Georganne Way/Lavera Morris – 800
Way enters the meet with the 13th-fastest mark in the field (2:06.39), while Morris is 18th (2:06.55). The top three runners in the field are all freshman with Michigan?s Geena Gall ranked No. 1 (2:02.73). Alysia Johnson of California is the top returner after finishing sixth last season. Freshman Heather Dorniden of Minnesota ranks second (2:02.64) and won the NCAA indoor crown earlier this season.
Ildiko Varga – Discus
Varga will be making her third consecutive NCAA appearance in the discus and has an excellent shot at earning All-America honors (top 8) by owning the sixth-best mark (185-10, UK school record) in the field. Nebraska?s Dace Ruskule is the No. 1 seed (193-9) while Alabama?s Beth Mallory ranks second after winning last year?s event with a throw of 194-9.
Ashley Muffet – Shot Put
Muffet is Kentucky?s lone frosh female entry. Her personal-best and school record mark of 54-2.50 ranks her 14th in the field. Michelle Carter of Texas is the No. 3 seed (59-0) after finishing second in ?05.
By the Numbers…
As a program the Wildcats are sending 12 total athletes to this year?s NCAA Championships…UK has 10 entries (nine individual/one relay)…the men?s team has five individuals and one relay…the women?s team has four individuals…of the 12 UK athletes set to compete, seven are underclassmen…the UK men are one of only 25 schools in the country to have six or more entries…Texas and Florida State lead that category with 15 apiece…of the 25 to have six or more entries, UK is one of only nine schools to have two or more freshmen (Acevedo, McKenzie) slated to compete…last year, the Kentucky men finished t-37th, while in 2004, they placed t-40th…the women?s team did not score in 2005…in 2004, they finished t-56th.
Team Titles
On the men?s side, Florida State is picked by Trackwire to bring home the title. LSU (fourth) and Arkansas (t-fifth) are expected to be the top contenders from the SEC. The women?s race looks to be headlined by Texas, who Trackwire predicts could score as much as 59 points. Auburn, LSU and South Carolina from the SEC could contend as well.
