The University of Kentucky track and field squads, led by a strong underclass group set the pace as UK completed second-day competition at the Meyo Invitational in South Bend, Ind., and at the Husker Invitational in Lincoln, Neb.
That solid underclass group was led by freshman Lavera Morris who recorded a time of 2:11.80 in the 800-meter run, breaking the freshman school record set in 1993. Fellow freshman Justin Harrison captured third in the 400 meters with a personal-best and NCAA provisional qualifying time of 47.21 at the Meyo Invitational, while sophomore Andy Fryman took second in the men?s shot put with a heave of 57-03.00 at the Husker Invitational. Also competing at the Husker Invitational was freshman standout, Michael Mason. Mason competed well in the nationally ranked group of men?s high jump competitors finishing third with a leap of 6-11 ?.
For the women at the Meyo Invitational, Jackie Gordon, a Frankfort, Ky., native, finished second in the women?s 500-meter dash with a season-high 1:15.34 mark Friday night, while senior Beth Heimann captured first in the women?s 1,000-meter run with a season-high time of 2:51.84. Saturday?s excitement also came from Heimann, as she recorded a season-best sixth-place time of 2:08.59 in the 800-meter run. Gordon also recorded a solid mark in the 800-meter run in a time of 2:14.66. At the Husker Invitational junior Rachel Kohler finished fifth for Kentucky with a leap of 5-7 in the women?s high jump.
UK once again recorded high marks in the men?s 4×400-meter run at the Meyo Invitational. Freshman Nathan Browning ran the leadoff leg for the Cats followed by fellow freshmen Adam Franklin and Harrison. Junior Dedrick Tillerson ran the final leg for the foursome, helping the squad record a fourth-place, season-best time of 3:10.77 in the talent-laden field.
Kentucky?s marks in the 400-meter run at the Meyo Invitational were also impressive with Browning crossing the finish line in a time of 48.22 and Tillerson close behind with a time of 48.35. In the 800 meters freshman Gabe McClaren recorded a mark of 1:52.31, while fellow freshman Dan Hutson finished with a time of 1:53.40 and junior Ryan Deluca recorded a mark of 1:53.66. Freshman Stephan Smith was running well at the beginning of the men?s 800-meter run for the Cats, until a battle for position led to Smith being tripped and falling. Smith completed the race for Kentucky. Freshman Chris Payne recorded a personal-best jump of 6-03 ? at the Husker Invitational in the high jump.
Kentucky returns to action Feb. 11 at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark.
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