May 29, 2003

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Nearly thirty members of the University of Kentucky track and field team will travel to Columbus, Ohio, May 30-31, to compete in the first-ever NCAA Midwest Regional Championships at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on the campus of The Ohio State University.

This marks the first year that the NCAA has moved the outdoor track event to a regional format. Kentucky was one of the best-represented institutions in the country, qualifying 30 student-athletes to the event. However, senior Janet Crawford was forced to withdraw from regional action after suffering a career-ending foot injury earlier this week.

Among UK’s group of competitors is senior Simidele Adeagbo, who will compete in both the long jump and triple jump for the Wildcats. Junior Beth Heimann looks to be a formidable opponent in the women’s 800 meters, joining teammates Roseline Addo and Brooke Patterson. The women also will compete in the 4×100-meter relay, 1,500 meters, 100-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles, 5,000 meters, hammer throw, discus and 1,600-meter relay.

Leading the men is junior David Freeman in the 1,500 meters where he will join Hunter Spencer. The Wildcats qualified five runners in the 800 meters, including Jean Balan, Chad Johnson, James Doaty, Paul Ciurlys and Kris Landers. Other UK men’s events include the high jump, 100 meters, 400-meter hurdles, shot put and 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Action gets underway at 12 p.m. on Friday, though UK’s first event is the women’s 4×100-meter relay at 4 p.m. Immediate results can be obtained at http://www.deltatiming.com/events/2003/mideast/index.htm.