May 22, 2003

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky track and field team has received bids for 30 student-athletes to attend the 2003 NCAA Midwest Regional Championship in Columbus, Ohio, May 29-30. This marks the first year for the NCAA Track and Field Championship to include a regional championship prior to the national championship in Sacramento, Calif., June 11-14.

Senior Simidele Adeagbo leads the group, qualifying for both the triple jump and long jump. Her distance of 44-01.50 in the triple jump this season ranks eighth in the nation and second in the Midwest Region. Other women in field events include Nicole Allyn in the hammer throw, Janet Crawford and Rachel Kohler in the high jump, Gennessa Guzman in the discus and hammer throws and Ildiko Varga and Molly Lonergan in the discus. Crawford holds the 14th highest jump in the nation this year and the fourth highest in the region.

In running events, UK will send Roseline Addo in the 800 meters. Her time of 2:06.92 ranks 10th in the region. Olubusola Adeabo will compete in the 400-meter hurdles, while Beth Heimann will join Addo in the 800. Heimann’s time of 2:04.48 ranks ninth in the nation and fifth in a tough region this season.

Elmetta Johnson qualified in the 100-meter hurdles, while Candace Leep will compete in the 1,500 meters. Brooke Patterson earned a spot in the 800-meter run, while Caitlin Phillips will run for a spot at nationals in the 5,000 meters. UK will also send a group to compete in the 4×100-meter relay and the 4×400 meter relay.

On the men’s side, Jean Balan leads the group with a place in the 800 meters after his time of 1:47.22 ranked fifth in the nation and fourth in the region this outdoor season. Joining him in the 800 meters are Paul Ciurlys, James Doaty, Hunter Spencer, Chad Johnson and Kris Landers. David Freeman will compete in the 1,500 meters, while Thomas Morgan enters the 3,000-meter steeplechase and the 5,000 meters.

Tom Masthay will look to advance in the 400-meter hurdles, while Ernest Simms qualified for the 100 meters after his time of 10.29 ranked sixth in the region. Matt Smothermon, a senior, will try to keep his career alive at the regional while competing in the high jump. Tony Tzouanakis wraps up UK’s long list of qualifiers with a spot in the men’s shot put.

Action gets underway on Thursday, May 29 on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.