April 29, 2001

PHILADELPHIA The University of Kentucky track and field squad was represented well at the prestigious Penn Relays with four top six finishes in Championship of American events. Action took place at Franklin Field on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania on April 26-28.The men’s 4×800-meter relay team of Hunter Spencer, Paul Ciurlys, Chad Johnson and David Freeman ran a time of 7:19.87 to take second-place honors. Their time was only 77 hundredths of a second off the school record, which was set at the 2000 Penn Relays by a quartet that included Spencer and Johnson.

Caity Phillips established a new personal-best with her sixth-place finish in the 3,000 meters with a time of 9:40.50, which also shaved off more than 30 seconds from her season-best time run at the Texas Relays on April 5.

In the men’s shot put Championship of America, Jeff Chakouian, who is ranked 4th in the nation, placed sixth with a throw of 59-00.75, his fourth NCAA qualifying throw of the season. In the men’s discus COA, Bill Powers also took sixth place with a heave of 164-07.00.

The Cats now take a two-week break before heading to the Southeastern Conference Championships in Columbia, S.C., on May 10-13.

AGATE (First Place and UK Finishers)

Women’s 3,000 Meters1. Marjo Venalainen Kennesaw State 9:29.066. Caitlin Phillips Kentucky 9:40.50

Men’s Distance Medley Relay Championships of America1. Villanova 9:30.4811. Kentucky 9:56.11

Men’s Shot Put Championship of America1. Jon Kalnas Monmouth 61-00.004. Jeff Chakouian Kentucky 59-00.75

Men’s Discus Championship of America1. Omer Inan Stanford 184-10.006. Bill Powers Kentucky 164-07.00

Men’s Discus Throw1. Steve Pitlik Tennessee 177-00.008. Jeff Chakouian Kentucky 166-00.00

Men’s 4xMile Relay Championship of America1. Stanford 16:15.7012. Kentucky 16:38.03

Men’s 4x800m Relay Championship of America1. Stanford 7:19.392. Kentucky 7:19.87