March 22, 2003
MIAMI, Fla. – The University of Kentucky track and field team opened the 2003 outdoor season with a solid showing at the Miami Hurricane Invitational in Miami, Fla. Four Wildcats won their respective events, including two field and two running team.
Ernest Simms claimed the men’s 100-meter title with a time of 10.56, while Jean Balan took the men’s 800 meters with a time of 1:53.02. Also finishing in the top five for UK in the event was Thomas Morgan in fourth with a time of 1:55.49, and Justin Amason in fifth with his time of 1:55.90.
Janet Crawford took the women’s high jump title just one week after earning All-America honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships. She had a leap of 5-10.75 on Saturday to lead all competitors. Other Cats in the top five were Susanne Funken in fourth and Rachel Kohler in fifth.
Molly Lonergan won the women’s discus with a throw of 160-09.00. Teammate Illdiko Varga took third with a toss of 158-01.00, while Gennessa Guzman was fourth with a throw of 155-04.00. Nicole Allyn took second in the women’s hammer throw with a toss of 176-04.00, while Tony Tzouanakis took second in the men’s shot put with a mark of 51-10.50.
Brooke Patterson was fourth in the women’s 800 meters with a time of 2:12.34 to lead three Wildcats in the top 10, including teammate Candace Leep, who had a career-best time of 2:15.61 to take ninth. Chad Johnson was strong for the men in the 400 meters, leading three Cats in the top 11 with a time of 47.57.
UK returns to action on Saturday, March 29 at the SEC Quad Meet in Athens, Ga.
