Parts of the UK track and field squads will travel north this weekend to the Jesse Owens Track Classic (Fri.-Sat.) on the campus of Ohio State University. One of the premier track meets of the late season, the meet will serve as an excellent opportunity to earn more regional qualifying marks. It will also be one of two meets remaining (SEC Championships, May 11-14) before the Cats head to the NCAA Mideast Regional, May 26-27, in Knoxville, Tenn.
For the season, both UK squads have combined for 22 regional marks (nine women, 13 men). This weekend, male throwers Alek Grietens (hammer throw, discus) and 2006 SEC indoor shot put champ Gavin Ball will look to grab marks. Ball needs a toss of 55-1.25 to gain a berth, which is more than attainable after he won the SEC title with a throw of 61-1.25. Last season, while at Kansas, Ball qualified regionally for the shot put and discus. Female thrower senior Nicole Allyn already owns a regional mark in the hammer but will look to improve her season-best of 182-3 (third all-time UK). Senior jumper Michelle Gales needs to add less than 10 inches in both the triple and long jumps to get a bid. Other UK field event entrees include freshmen pole vaulters Mary Durham (season-best 10-11.75) and Maggie Tincher (10-6). Five male middle distance runners will attempt to go below the regional standard of 1:50.4 in the 800. Junior Nick Reeves (season-best 1:54.85), sophomores John Richardson (1:52.32) and Stephan Smith (1:51.17), and freshmen Ryan Finn (1:54.75) and Scott Geisinger (1:57.24) will compete. Junior Jonathan Thomas will run the mile.
A field of nearly 650 athletes includes more than 60 Ohio high school boy’s and girl’s squads that will give way to top-notch collegiate and professional fields in the evening portion of the schedule each day. Highlighting that evening section is a contingent of post-collegiate athletes, ranging from Team USA to numerous club-level squads.
In its history, the Jesse Owens Track Classic has served as a top venue for many future and former Olympians. Current and past record holders for the Jesse Owens Track Classic include Olympic medalists John Drummond, Michelle Finn, Allen Johnson, Edwin Moses, Dwight Stones and former Buckeyes Diane Dixon, Joe Greene and Butch Reynolds. Others of Olympic fame include Judi Brown, Roger Kingdom, Carl Lewis, Louise Ritter and Calvin Smith, as well as past OSU Olympians Mark Croghan and Stephanie Hightower.
Live stats for the meet will be available on ukathletics.com or deltatiming.com.
