Freshman Crushes Personal-Best Mark

SANTIAGO, Chile — University of Kentucky freshman Jeff Chakouian claimed fifthplace in the shot put event at the IAAF/Coca Cola World Junior Championships inAthletics on Thursday, Oct. 19, in Chile.

Chakouian, who has yet to perform for the Blue and White, donned the Red,White and Blue of the USA as he surpassed his personal best with a heave of61-11.75. His previous best, which he tallied in winning the event at the US JuniorNationals this past summer, was 59-10.50, more than two feet less than Thursday’sperformance. He actually topped his all-time high mark with his second throw of thefinals, yet still had the effort to throw even further in the third round.

Chakouian, a native of Seekonk, Mass., comes to Kentucky having won twonational championships and, now, a fifth-place international finish. He will begincompetition for the Cats at the Wildcat Speed Indoor Meet on Dec. 8 at the NutterField House on the campus of UK.