INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. ? The University of Kentucky track and field teams opened competition at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Thursday. Freshman Gordon McKenzie highlighted the day for the Cats with a second place finish in the 100 meters.

McKenzie, competing in the junior portion of the meet, won his prelim heat with a strong mark of 10.46 to advance to finals. In the finals, the Queens, N.Y. native finished second with a blistering time of 10.30 (personal-best, 10.29). McKenzie finished second to Florida freshman Willie Perry (10.12) who finished fifth at the NCAA Championships in the 200. McKenzie?s efforts now make him eligible to compete at the IAAF World Junior Championships, August 15-20, at the Beijing Chaoyang Sports Fitness and Leisure Park, in Beijing, China.

In other action, recently departed senior Dedrick Tillerson took to the track for the men?s open 400 hurdles. Competing against the best in the country, Tillerson closed out his collegiate career with a solid mark of 52.38. Tillerson leaves Kentucky owning the second fastest 400 hurdles (50.29) in school history. The Henderson, Ky. native finished fifth at the regional meet en route to earning his first-ever trip to the NCAA Championships.

Tomorrow, junior Andy Fryman will compete in the shot put, while McKenzie will run in the junior 200 prelims. Freshman Ashley Muffet begins shot put competition on Sunday.