Several University of Kentucky track and field athletes broke school records on the first day of the NCAA Mideast Regional in Baton Rouge, La., Friday. Leading the pack was senior Jeff Chakouian, who broke his own school record in the shot put with an event-winning toss of 66-03.00.

The throw not only broke Chakouian?s previous school record of 66-00.50, but also automatically qualifies him for the U.S. Olympic Trials. The mark was an SEC-best this season as well.

Ildiko Varga took second place in the women?s discus on Friday with a school-record throw of 182-01.00, a personal best. The previous school record was 175-02.00, set by Varga two weeks ago at the SEC Championships.

Several of UK?s stellar runners performed well in Friday?s preliminary action as well. Hunter Spencer and Thomas Morgan finished in the top nine in the 1,500-meter prelims to advance to the finals ? Spencer finished the run in a time of 3:51.93, while Morgan posted a time of 3:50.03. David Freeman had a time of 4:00.81 in the event, failing to make Saturday?s final.

In 800 meters action, Brooke Patterson shined for the women, finishing sixth in the prelims in a school-record time of 2:04.13. She had a provisional qualifying time for the Olympic trials and broke Beth Heimann?s previous record of 2:04.48. Heimann had a time of 2:07.74 in the preliminary round as well.

For the men, it was Jean Balan who led the Wildcats, finishing eighth among the preliminary runners with a time of 1:49.31. He will join teammate Kris Landers, who finished the race in 1:49.49, in Saturday?s finals.

For the long-distance runners, it was another successful day as Thomas Morgan completed the 5,000 meters in 14:20.69 to finish fifth in the event. His counterpart, Caitlin Phillips, finished 10th for the women in a time of 16:59.01.

Among the day?s events, Kentucky totaled four point scoring performances, including Chakouian?s 10-point win in the shot put.

Kentucky resumes action in the NCAA Championship qualifier Saturday at Noon CT with Kristen Mowrey in the women?s high jump.