LEXINGTON, Ky. ? Nine University of Kentucky track and field athletes and the men?s 4×400 meter relay team have been selected to compete at the NCAA Indoor Championships this weekend at the University of Arkansas? Tyson Track Complex in Fayetteville, Ark., the NCAA selection committee announced late Monday evening.
Two Kentucky athletes earned automatic-qualifying marks this season to secure their participation at the event.
Senior John Richardson broke the four-minute mile barrier for only the second time in Kentucky history at the final home meet of his career, the Rod McCravy Memorial Track Meet. Richardson shined as the first collegiate runner across the finish line at 3:59.35 and earned an NCAA automatic-qualifying mark for his performance. His time stands as a personal-best and ranks second all-time at UK behind Bob Whelan?s time of 3:58.77 ? a mark that has stood for 18 years. Richardson?s mile run is the best in the SEC and ranks seventh nationally.
At the SEC Indoor Championships, sophomore Jenna Martin earned an NCAA automatic-qualifying mark in the women?s 400 meter dash while improving her UK varsity record in the event by 0.39 seconds, clocking in at 52.32. The sprinter finished third in the event behind athletes that ran the top two times in the NCAA this year.
Two Wildcats will be making a repeat individual performance in the Championships this year.
Junior Ashley Muffet earned All-America honors last season after finishing ninth in the shot put. The thrower comes into this year?s competition ranked eighth in the nation with a distance measuring 55-3. Muffet holds the school record of 56-8.50 set last season.
Senior Lavera Morris will make her third consecutive NCAA Indoor Championship appearance in the women?s 800 meter run. The veteran improved her time last week at the Iowa State Qualifier to 2:06.05, just 0.05 seconds off her personal best. Morris? time ranks tenth nationally.
Two members of the men?s 4×400 meter relay squad that earned All-America honors after a second-place finish in 2007 also will make a return trip to the Championships.
Like Morris, senior Nathan Browning and junior Jose Acevedo will also make a third consecutive appearance in the Championships all as members of the men?s 4×400 meter relay team. The relay teammates will be joined by senior Stephan Smith and sophomore Kwasi Obeng. The foursome earned an NCAA nod based on its run at the Iowa State Qualifier last Saturday clocking in with a season-best time of 3:07.35, ranked tenth in the nation.
Acevedo will also compete as an individual in the men?s 200 meter dash based on his time of 21.08 at Arkansas? Tyson Invitational last month.
Three Wildcats secured their spots last weekend at ?last chance? meets.
Junior Mikel Thomas qualified after breaking his own 60m hurdle record for the third time this season at Iowa State. His time of 7.75 is eighth in the nation.
At Virginia Tech, senior Andy Fryman set a new men?s weight throw record with a toss of 67-3.50, breaking the record he shared with junior Rashaud Scott (65-6) and secured a bid to the Championships. Scott will join Fryman after his personal-best shot put throw of 62-6.50 that placed him fourth all-time at UK and seventh nationally.
Wildcat gridiron star Derrick Locke will contend for the men?s long jump championship.
The lone true freshman of the group is the first-year record holder in the long jump. The two-sport athlete?s leap of 25-5.25 ranks second all-time in varsity marks at UK, two inches shy of the varsity record.
Complete results and a recap of the upcoming NCAA Championships will be available at ukatheltics.com.
Kentucky?s NCAA Championship Participants
Jose Acevedo – Men’s 200 Meter Dash Andy Fryman – Men’s Weight Throw Derrick Locke – Men’s Long Jump Jenna Martin ? Women?s 400 Meter Dash Lavera Morris ? Women?s 800 Meter Run Ashley Muffet ? Women?s Shot Put John Richardson – Men’s Mile Rashaud Scott – Men’s Shot Put Mikel Thomas – 60 Meter Hurdles Men?s 4×400 Meter Relay Team: 1) Nathan Browning 2) Kwasi Obeng 3) Stephan Smith 4) Jose Acevedo
