By Jacob Most
March 9, 2013 –
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Kentucky track and field teams got off to a promising start at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday inside the Randal Tyson Track Center.
The women’s distance medley relay squad of Chelsea Oswald, Morganne Phillips, Allison Peare and Chelsea Oswald finished fifth, scoring four points for the 20th-ranked Kentucky women’s team.
The Wildcats finished with a time of 11:01.14, a little more than a second of the school-record set last Friday on a more distance-friendly track at Notre Dame.
The DMR squad had to battle for position from the opening gun as 12 teams bumped and maneuvered for prime placement along the six-lane track.
Oswald, Phillips and Peare all kept the team in position to make a move late as each maintained contact with the field, and expertly executing successful baton-passes in heavy traffic.
The Wildcats’ position in the field fluctuated from middle to back for much of the race.
Macumber sat at the rear of a chase group for much of her closing 1,600-meter leg as the 3,000 meters SEC Champion waited for the bell lap to make her move.
She timed it perfectly, moving into fifth position to anchor the Wildcat women to four hard-fought points out of the chase group’s scramble finish.
“Our kids really fought hard tonight,” head coach Edrick Floreal said. “They handled adversity, some bad breaks and delivered the goods. We continue to grow, and take steps forward.”
Less than a week after setting a new school 60-meter hurdles record, Keith Hayes lowered the program-best time by .04 seconds in the event prelim.
Hayes used his solid start to post a time of 7.69 qualifying No. 6 into tomorrow’s NCAA final. He has lowered his personal-best 60H from just two weeks ago by .06 seconds.
Hayes will compete in the 60H final on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Macumber and Oswald will take the track for the 3,000 meters final at approximately 8:40 p.m.
WatchESPN and ESPN3.com will cover the meet with Dwight Stones, Larry Rawson, Lewis Johnson and Olympic hurdler Lolo Jones on the call. Flashresults.com will provide live results.
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NCAA Indoor Championships
Randal Tyson Track Center
Fayetteville, Ark.
Friday Results
Men 60-meter hurdles semifinal
6. Keith Hayes: 7.69q
Women Distance Medley Relay Final
5. Kentucky (Macumber, Phillips, Peare, Oswald): 11:01.14 (4 points)
Saturday Schedule
7:30 p.m. ET Men 60-meter hurdles final
Keith Hayes
8:40 p.m. ET 3,000 meters final
Cally Macumber, Chelsea Oswald
