BLOOMINGTON, Ind. ? The University of Kentucky track and field squads wrapped up the first day of competition at the Mideast Regional in Bloomington, Ind. Senior Jeff Chakouian qualified for the NCAA National Championships with his second-place finish in the shot put, while junior Dedrick Tillerson qualified for Saturday?s finals in the 400-meter hurdles.
The Mideast Regional meet was suspended due to inclement weather and will resume Saturday morning at 12 p.m. EDT with the women?s 5,000 meters.
Chakouian competed well in the shot put preliminary flights, but really shined in the finals. He recorded a toss of 64-5 ? in his second finals attempt to move into first and then improved to an even 65-0 for his third and final toss. The final competitor, Auburn?s Edis Elkasevic, was the last athlete to attempt to surpass Chakouian. With a heave of 66-11 ? Elkasevic, the national leader in the shot put, claimed the Mideast Regional shot put title, leaving Chakouian second on the medalist stands for the second time in as many weeks.
Junior Dedrick Tillerson finished second in his heat in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 51.67. Tillerson was the lone Cat to qualify for Saturday?s finals with his eighth-place finish.
Sophomore Andy Fryman, competing in the second of three heats, smashed his previous career-best shot put mark of 58-01 in his first attempt with a heave of 59-00, and then annihilated that mark in his second attempt with a throw of 60-01 3/4. Fryman?s second toss put him in the lead after two heats and was enough to qualify him for the finals. In the finals Fryman did not record a toss better than any preliminary toss and finished in sixth place. Although Fryman did not automatically qualify for nationals, he will be a part of an at-large group of athletes that may be selected to compete at nationals.
Freshman Michael Mason finished tied for sixth in the high jump with a leap of 6-11.00, clearing the height in two attempts. Purdue?s Derek Watkins took fifth on his first attempt at 6-11.00. Mason?s jump does not automatically qualify him for nationals however, like Fryman he will be a part of the at-large group.
In the discus Fryman and freshman Alek Grietens both ended their discus seasons with throws of 168-09 and 148-09, respectively. Seniors Gennessa Guzman and Nicole Allyn competed for the Cats in the women?s hammer throw. Allyn concluded the season with a toss of 175-09, while Guzman notched a mark of 175-10. Guzman will compete again Saturday in the discus with junior Ildiko Varga.
Freshman Justin Harrison crossed the finish line with a time of 47.11 in the 400 meters and in the 800 meters freshman Gabe McLaren recorded a time of 1:51.79. Harrison and McLaren did not qualify for Saturday?s final.
Three Cats competed in the second of three heats in the women?s 800-meter run. Senior Brooke Patterson, sophomore Georganne Way and freshman Lavera Morris represented UK. Patterson, competing in the final event of her career recorded a time of 2:08.80, while Morris registered a personal-best time of 2:09.27 in her first regional appearance, and Way finished with a time of 2:11.38.
