March 17, 2000

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky track and field squad begins its outdoorcampaign Saturday, March 18 in the Hurricane Invitational at the Universityof Miami.

Senior Matt Kavanagh leads the men’s squad which is looking to get off toa good start after a promising indoor season. Kavanagh, who finished ninthin the 35-pound weight throw at the NCAA Indoor Championships, will beworking toward a third All-America honor in the hammer throw. In 1999, heclaimed seventh place at the NCAA Outdoors with a personal-best andschool-record throw of 221-04.

Freshmen Chad Johnson, Morgan Thomas and Hunter Spencer will look to makean impact with their continually improving times in the 800 meter and mileruns. Junior pole vaulter Chris Daniel, who cleared a personal best 17-00during the indoor season, should also be a steady contributor to the teamalong with Jude Hammond (100 and 200 meters).

For the women, senior Roshell Russell gives the squad experience havingearned All-America honors in the 400 meters at the 1998 NCAA OutdoorChampionships. Juniors Shevan Threats (triple and long jump) and MichelleWilliams (100-meter hurdles and 200 meters), along with senior Beth Burkett(javelin) and sophomore Temitayo Adeagbo (heptathlon), also give consistentperformances.

UK will be facing tough competition from Miami, Florida, Syracuse,Virginia Tech and two-time defending NCAA women’s champion Texas.

The action gets underway Saturday with the field events at 9 a.m. and therunning events at 2 p.m. at the Cobb Stadium for Soccer, Track and Field inCoral Gables.