May 16, 2003

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Kentucky track and field team had an excellent opening day of competition at the 2003 Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championships in Knoxville, Tenn., on Friday, May 16. The Wildcats sent four runners to the finals of the men’s and women’s 800 meters after stellar preliminary performances at Tom Black Track.

Jean Balan advanced to the men’s 800 meter finals after finishing sixth in the prelims on Friday with a time of 1:48.69. Teammates Chad Johnson and Kris Landers also finished in the top-15, while Hunter Spencer, James Doaty and Paul Ciurlys all had regional qualifying times.

On the women’s side, Beth Heimann led the UK troops with a fourth-place showing in the prelims with her time of 2:06.07, a season-best for the junior. Roseline Addo and Brooke Patterson also finished in the top 10 of the event to advance to the finals on Sunday.

Sophomore Gennessa Guzman threw a personal-best distance of 180-06.00 in the women’s hammer throw to finish ninth overall. Teammate Nicole Allyn was 14th in the event with a throw of 165-00.00.

In 400-meter hurdle action, Olubusola Adeagbo finished fourth in the prelims with a time of 59.99, a personal best, to advance to Sunday evening’s final. On the men’s side, freshman Tom Masthay advanced to the finals of the event after taking 12th in the prelims.

The Wildcats return to action on Saturday. UK opens the day with Simidele Adeagbo competing for the long jump title at 3:30 p.m. Running events begin at 7 p.m. with the men’s 1,500 meters which will feature UK’s Spencer, David Freeman, Landers and Justin Amason.