March 4, 2002

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Three University of Kentucky track and field athletes competed in the Alex Wilson Invitational this weekend in South Bend, Ind., highlighted by Ernest Simms’ first-place finish in the 60 meters with an automatic qualifying time of 6.40.

Simms, whose previous best was a 6.73 mark at the Iowa State Classic on Feb. 9, joined the team in January after completing his third season as a wide receiver on the UK football team. He becomes the second Wildcat to automatically qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., March 8-9, but the sixth UK athlete overall, as UK’s distance medley team of Hunter Spencer, Paul Ciurlys, Chad Johnson and Thomas Morgan automatically qualified with a time of 9:36.19 at the Iowa State Classic. Sophomore Jeff Chakouian has thrown three automatic qualifying throws in the shot put this season, including his first toss of the season. His top throw of the season came at the Kentucky Invitational on Jan. 12, a toss of 65-06.75.

Also competing in the “last chance” meet at Notre Dame was Spencer, who ran a 4:06.13 in the men’s mile for a seventh-place finish, and David Freeman, who recorded a provisional-qualifying time of 1:49.40 in the 800 meters.

Overall, five Wildcats have provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championship in four different events. Spencer has provisional marks in the 800 meters and the mile, while Johnson has a provisional time in the 800 meters. Simidele Adeagbo earned her mark in the women’s triple jump, and both Aisha Smith and Gennessa Guzman have provisional qualifying marks in the women’s 20-lb. weight throw.

Remaining spots in the Championship will be filled from a descending list of provisional qualifiers on Monday, March 4.