CORAL GABLES, Fla. (Mar. 17, 2001) — With 12 top-five finishes, the University of Kentucky track and field squads competed well in theiropening meet of the outdoor season at the Hurricane Invitational, hosted by the University of Miami on Saturday, March 17.

Leading the way was junior Aisha Smith’s school record-breaking performance in winning the women’s hammer throw with atoss of 167-05.00. Her throw topped the old mark of 164-11.00 held by senior Rebecca Wedel, who finished third in the meet witha mark of 163-01.00. In the women’s discus throw, freshman Molly Lonergan placed second with a toss of 156-02.00 to take overthe No. 5 spot on the UK all-time list.

Also finishing in the top five for the women’s team were freshman Caity Phillips with a fourth-place finish in the 800 meters(2:14.50), senior Michelle Williams crossing the line for fifth in the 100-meter hurdles (14.28) and sophomore Janet Crawford with ahigh jump of 5-03.25 for fifth.

On the men’s side was sophomore Chad Johnson who finished the 400 meters in a personal-best time of 47.22 for secondplace. In the 1,500 meters, freshman Justin Amason claimed second with a time of 3:53.25. On the field, freshman sensation JeffChakouian moved away from his signature event, the shot put, to claim second in the discus with a throw of 167-07.00. SeniorAndrew VanderWagen cleared 6-09.75 in the high jump for fourth place, while junior Scott Theis finished fifth in the shot put with aheave of 50-10.75.

The Cats will now take a weekend off before heading to Athens, Ga., on March 31, for an annual Southeastern Conferencemeet where they will compete against some of the best competitors in the country including Georgia, Auburn, Arkansas and SouthCarolina.

Women’s 100 Meters1. Melissa Morrison     Unattached      11.598. Simidele Adeagbo     Kentucky        11.969. Demetrius Roberts    Kentucky        12.14Women’s 200 Meters1. Anita Edwards      FIU             23.617. Shevan Threats      Kentucky        24.1818. Simidele Adeagbo    Kentucky        25.31Women’s 800 Meters1. Erin Johnson         Rutgers         2:13.244. Caity Phillips     Kentucky        2:14.509. Marie Patton         Kentucky        2:20.45Women’s 100-meter Hurdles1. Opal Jones           Syracuse        13.765. Michelle Williams    Kentucky        14.286. Elmetta Johnson      Kentucky        14.29Women’s 400-meter Hurdles1. Jamillah Wade       Miami           59.8313. Olubusola Adeagbo   Kentucky        1:06.56Women’s High Jump1. Kimberly Fife     Rutgers         5-07.255. Janet Crawford   Kentucky        5-03.25Women’s Shot Put1. Lynette Keppeler     USC             48-10.756. Olivia Reynolds      Kentucky        42-11.75Women’s Discus1. Alana Robinson       USC             157-03.002. Molly Lonergan       Kentucky        156-02.00Women’s Hammer Throw1. Aisha Smith          Kentucky        167-05.003. Rebecca Wedel        Kentucky        163-01.00Men’s 200 Meters1. Andre Totton         USC             20.9227. Bryan Wilson     Kentucky        22.53Men’s 400 Meters1. Terrence Wakefield   Texas           47.192. Chad Johnson         Kentucky        47.2211. Paul Ciurlys      Kentucky        49.3812. David Freeman       Kentucky        49.5114. James Doaty         Kentucky        50.0719. Patton Segraves     Kentucky        50.65Men’s 1,500 Meters1. Clay Schwabe         Army            3:46.873. Justin Amason    Kentucky        3:53.2513. Kevin O’Connor      Kentucky        4:08.65Men’s 110-meter Hurdles1. TJ Nelson            Wisconsin       13.7710. Bryan Wilson    Kentucky        14.62Men’s High Jump1. Jimmy Baxter         USF             6-11.754. Andrew VanderWagen   Kentucky        6-09.75Men’s Shot Put1. Scott Denbo          Princeton       61-06.255. Scott Theis          Kentucky        50-10.75Men’s Discus1. Tim Adrian           Syracuse        168-11.002. Jeff Chakouian      Kentucky        167-07.004. Bill Powers          Kentucky        165-08.007. Scott Theis          Kentucky        156-08.008. Anthony Tzouanakis   Kentucky        154-09.00