The University of Kentucky track and field teams will be well represented at the 2006 NCAA Indoor Championships as three Wildcats and the men?s 4×400 relay earned berths to this weekend?s meet in Fayetteville, Ark.
Qualifiers ? Women
Lavera Morris (So., Orlando, Fla., 800, 2:06.33)
Morris came through with a clutch performance at last weekend?s Iowa State Qualifier, cutting over a second off of her personal-best to go well under the provisional standard (2:06.33). Morris enters the championships with the 12th fastest time in the country. Morris also claimed a third place finish in the 800 at the SEC Championships and ran the opening leg for UK?s first place distance medley relay. Only a sophomore, the Orlando native ranks second all-time indoors at UK for the 800. (Top time nationally, Katie Erdman, Michigan, 2:04.21)
Georganne Way (Jr., Lititz, Pa., 800, 2:06.49)
Like Morris, Way has quickly developed into one of the top 800 runners in the conference and the country. The Lititz, Pa. native owns an 800 personal-best of 2:06.49, which she ran at the Iowa State Classic (2/11). Way placed seventh in the mile at the SEC Championships and anchored UK?s first place DMR squad. Way?s 800 mark ranks 15th nationally, fourth among SEC runners and third all-time indoors behind Morris and Beth Heimann (2:05.72, 2002). (Top time nationally, Katie Erdman, Michigan, 2:04.21)
Qualifiers ? Men
Gavin Ball (Jr., Monona Grove, Wis., Shot Put, 61-2.25)
Ball has made an immediate impact since coming to Kentucky, highlighted by a five-meet stretch in which he improved his season-best in each meet. Ball?s season-best toss of 61-2.25 came at no better time as he gave the men?s squad with a huge lift at the SEC meet by notching first place honors. The win gave Kentucky five of the last six SEC indoor champs (Jeff Chakouian, 2001-04). Ball enters this weekend?s meet owning the 16th best throw in the nation. (Top mark nationally, Garrett Johnson, Florida State, 66-2.50)
4×400 Relay
Justin Harrison (So.), Nathan Browning (So.), Jose Acevedo (Fr.), Luis Luna (Jr.)
The four-man crew has steadily progressed into a conference and national contender. After placing third at the SEC Championships, the squad came away with its best performance of the year by winning the Iowa State Qualifier with the four fastest time in the country (3:07.01). Earlier in the year, the squad began their march to the NCAA meet by setting the Rod McCravy meet record (3:07.65, 1/28). The meet record was previously owned by the Cats 1996 squad, which currently holds the indoor school record (3:05.71). This year?s race looks to be especially strong with returning champs Florida and perennial powers Baylor, Texas Tech and LSU in the field. (Top time nationally ? LSU, 3:05.78)
The meet will be held, March 10-11, at host University of Arkansas, in the Randal Tyson Track Center.
