May 2, 2002
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Several University of Kentucky track and field athletes are ranked in the top-10 in the Southeastern Conference for their events entering the SEC Outdoor Championships next weekend, May 9-12. The Wildcats are enjoying a week break before the showdown in Starkville, Miss., next week.
On the men’s side, sophomore Jeff Chakouian holds the top distance in the men’s shot put this season with a toss of 64-03.25 at the Penn Relays last weekend. That throw also ranks fourth in the nation this year. Chakouian also ranks seventh in the men’s discus throw with his throw of 171-02.00 at the Stanford Invitational on March 30.
Teammate Bill Powers’ throw of 185-00.00 in the discus at the Sea Ray Relays in April is the fourth-best throw in the league this year and ranks 19th in the nation, while his 173-11.00 throw in the hammer at the same meet ranks ninth this season.
UK has three athletes ranked in the top-10 for the men’s 800 meters, including David Freeman, whose time of 1:48.69 at the Mount SAC Relays is third in the SEC and 11th in the nation. James Doaty is sixth, while Paul Ciurlys is 10th. Chris Daniel’s jump of 17-01.00 in the men’s high jump is tied for sixth.
On the women’s side, Beth Heimann holds the sixth best time in outdoor action this season in the 800 meters with a mark of 2:06.67 at the Stanford Invitational in March. That time also ranks 18th in the country. Elmetta Johnson ranks 10th in the 100-meter hurdles after a 13.80 performance at Stanford. Junior Janet Crawford’s jump of 5-10.00 at the Mount SAC Relays in April ranks the SEC Indoor Champion third in outdoor performances.
All-American Simidele Adeagbo sits in fourth place in the conference and 12th in the country after her provisional-qualifying jump of 42-03.75 in the triple jump at the Long Beach Classic in March. Freshman Molly Lonergan sits just ahead of teammate Gennessa Guzman in the discus rankings. She holds fifth place with a throw of 164-03.00 at the Gatorade Classic last month, while Guzman is ninth with her throw of 162-02.00 at that meet. Lonergan’s toss ranks 37th in the nation this season.
Senior Aisha Smith ranks ninth in the women’s hammer throw after a 175-02.00 performance at the Sea Ray Relays, while teammate Kristen Mowrey’s school record-setting performance of 4,950 points in the heptathlon at the meet is sixth in the league.
The Championships get underway with the heptathlon and decathlon on Thursday, May 9 at Carl Maddox Track on the campus of Mississippi State.
