PHILADELPHIA, Penn. ? The University of Kentucky women?s distance squad competed in the 111th Penn Relays in Philadelphia Thursday. UK crossed the finish line in eighth-place in the college women?s distance medley championships with a time of 11:29.35.

UK senior Brooke Patterson led off followed by sophomore Jackie Gordon, freshman Lavera Morris and senior Allison Grace. Duke claimed the women?s distance medley top honors with a mark of 11:10.18.

Senior five-time All-American Jeff Chakouian will compete in the men?s shot put on Friday at 10:30 a.m. EDT. Chakouian placed fifth at the relays last year, after a first-place finish in 2002 and is the favorite going into this year?s competition. The Seekonk, Mass., native took home top honors in the high school division in 1999.

The men will tackle the 4×400-meter relay and the sprint medley relay on Friday, while Saturday the team will compete in the 4×800-meter relay. The men?s 4×400-meter relay squad looks to improve on a previous regional qualifying mark of 3:08.99. The Kentucky women?s squad will compete Saturday in the 4×800-meter relay.

Running as an individual for the Cats is Tom Masthay, who will compete in the men?s 400-meter hurdles.