LEXINGTON ? Mary Chris Durham, a pole vaulter from Owensboro, Ky., signed a national letter of intent to compete for the University of Kentucky, coach Don Weber announced Monday. Durham will graduate from Owensboro High School on Tuesday, May 24.

“We are thrilled to have Mary in our program,? said head coach Don Weber. ?Steve Thomas, our field events coach, and I believe she has tremendous potential and will develop into a very competitive vaulter in the Southeastern Conference.”

This past year Durham recorded the best pole vault mark in the Commonwealth at 12-0, while winning the Daviess County Invitational on May 17. As a junior she finished second at the Kentucky State High School Track & Field Meet with a jump of 10-6 and should have the opportunity to better that finish at this year?s state meet which will take place June 3-4 at the Shively Track on the University of Kentucky campus.

Durham has also excelled in the classroom as she was selected as a First Corbin Financial Corporation/KHSAA Sportsmanship recognition award winner for 2004-2005.