Jan. 22, 2003

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s track team was recognized for its outstanding opening-week performances with a No. 18 national ranking by trackwire.com. The Cats, who are tied with Kansas State, are one of six Southeastern Conference teams in the top 25.

In addition, five UK athletes hold rankings in the trackwire.com Dandy Dozen, the top individuals in each event from around the nation. On the women’s side, Simidele Adeagbo ranks fourth in the nation in the triple jump, while Janet Crawford holds fifth place in the high jump. For the men, Hunter Spencer is ranked eighth in the mile, while Jeff Chakouian is eighth in the shot put. David Freeman closes out the individual highlights with an 11th-place showing in the 800 meters.

Updated weekly, the Dandy Dozed is used to generate the Trackwire Top 25, the power ranking of NCAA Division I track & field.

Also, UK holds several of the top spots in this week’s list of the top SEC performances. Hunter Spencer’s 4:02.34 in the mile last week leads all league competitors, while Chakouian’s throw of 60-08.50 is also tops in the conference.

For the women, Crawford and Rachel Kohler are ranked first and second, respectively, in the high jump. Adeagbo’s triple jump of 43-01.75 is first in the SEC, while her long jump ranks second. The complete list of ranked Kentucky athletes is as follows:

Men’s 60 MetersMen’s 400 Meters7. Ernest Simms6.749. Chad Johnson48.84

Men’s 800 Meters Men’s Mile6. James Doaty1:52.861. Hunter Spencer4:02.34 4. Thomas Morgan4:08.13Men’s High Jump8. Kris Landers 4:10.152. Matt Smotherman6-10.259. Justin Amason4:11.73

Women’s 60-Meter Hurdles Women’s 200 Meters7. Elmetta Johnson8.569. Talonda Ingram24.83t10. Olubusola Adeagbo 8.63

Women’s 800 MetersWomen’s Mile4. Brooke Patterson2:12.923. Beth Heimann 5:00.755. Caitlin Phillips5:02.70Women’s High Jump6. Allison Grace5:04.231. Janet Crawford5-11.252. Rachel Kohler5-08.00

Women’s Long Jump2. Simidele Adeagbo19-06.25

Women’s Triple Jump1. Simidele Adeagbo43-01.75Women’s 20-lb. Weight Throw10. Gennessa Guzman57-02.25

-UK-