FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. ? The University of Kentucky track and field squads wrapped up competition in the NCAA Indoor Championships at the University of Arkansas? Tyson Track Complex in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday. The women?s team scored four points in two events to finish in a tie for 46th place, while the men?s team was held off the scoreboard.
Two Wildcats making return trips to the Championships gained all of the points for UK.
With a time of 2:07.38, senior Lavera Morris earned the Cats the first point of the meet after her eighth-place finish in the women?s 800 meter run. Kentucky?s other three tallies came from sprinter Jenna Martin. The sophomore finished second in her heat and sixth overall in the women’s 400m dash with a time of 53.15.
Typically, the top eight finishers of an event earn All-America honors. The Indoor Championship laurels will be officially announced Sunday evening.
The men’s 4x400m relay team consisting of senior Nathan Browning, sophomore Kwasi Obeng, senior Stephan Smith and junior Jose Acevedo finished tenth overall with a time of 3:08.60 against a strong field.
Two Wildcat throwers made their championship debuts Saturday. Junior Ashley Muffet finished eighth in her flight and 16th overall in the women’s shot put, throwing a distance of 51-2.75. In the men?s weight throw, senior Andy Fryman finished ninth in his flight and 17th overall with a toss of 63-6.75.
?We are disappointed we didn?t score more points,? UK head coach Don Weber said. ?But bringing a dozen athletes to the Championships to finish in the top 16 in the nation is a step in the right direction.?
At the Championships on Friday, a controversial ruling cost senior John Richardson a chance to run in the final after he and another runner made contact halfway through the first mile run preliminary heat. The distance specialist was able to recover and finish the race but fell 100 meters behind the lead pack to finish 14th overall in a time of 4:24.40. After a coach?s protest by Weber, the meet officials ruled there was inconclusive evidence to overturn the original decision.
?I was disappointed John (Richardson) did not get a chance to compete in the men?s mile final,? Weber said, ?because I feel there was evidence that he deserved the chance.?
Arizona State swept both the men?s and women?s indoor titles.
A tape-delayed recap of the Championships will be broadcast on ESPN2 on Thursday, March 20 at 2 p.m. ET.
Kentucky opens its outdoor track season Mar. 28-29 at Georgia Tech?s Yellow Jacket Invitational.
Kentucky NCAA Championship Participant Finishes on Saturday Mar. 15
Women?s 400 Meter Dash Final
6. Jenna Martin ? 53.15
Women?s 800 Meter Run Final
8. Lavera Morris ? 2:07.38
Men?s 4×400 Meter Relay
10. Nathan Browning, Kwasi Obeng, Stephan Smith, Jose Acevedo ? 3:08.60
Women?s Shot Put
16. Ashley Muffett ? 51-2.75
Men?s Weight Throw
17. Andy Fryman ? 63-6.75
