May 8, 2002

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky track and field teams will begin competition in the 2002 Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championships on Thursday, May 9, in Starkville, Miss. Action gets underway Thursday and concludes on Sunday night at Carl Maddox Track on the campus of Mississippi State. Sophomore Kristen Mowrey opens competition for UK in Thursday’s heptathlon.

The Wildcats have enjoyed a two-week break since competing in the Penn Relays, April 25-28. At that meet, junior Simidele Adeagbo took first place in the women’s triple jump, while sophomore Jeff Chakouian took first in the men’s shot put. Chakouian has already qualified for the NCAA Championships and holds the top shot put distance in the SEC this season.

At last year’s league meet in Columbia, S.C., Chakouian took second place in the shot put while Adeagbo took fifth in the triple jump. Also performing well was Molly Lonergan, who took third in the women’s discus, and Chad Johnson, who had a fourth-place finish in the 800 meters. Chakouian also took sixth in the men’s discus.

Overall, 32 UK athletes will compete in the four-day meet. Results are available instantly at www.deltatiming.com and on a delayed basis at www.mstateathletics.com.