FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. ? Freshman Grant Lindsey started the NCAA Mideast Regional Track and Field Championships off on the right foot for the University of Kentucky by winning the men?s high jump Friday at host University of Arkansas? John McDonnell Field.
Lindsey claimed the men’s high jump title to automatically qualify for the NCAA National Championship Meet at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa in two weeks. Lindsey was the only athlete to clear the final two heights in competition. The rookie cleared 7-1 on his first attempt and later cleared 7-2.5 on his third attempt. Lindsey attempted to match his season-best and freshman record clearance of 7-3.25 but was unable to clear the bar after three tries. Lindsey’s event win is the fifth men?s Mideast Regional title all-time for Kentucky. With the win, Lindsey earned the Cats 10 points.
The other scorer on the first day for the Cats was junior Emilee Strot in the women?s discus. In the final event of the evening, Strot threw 167-10 to finish seventh in the event. Strot earned the UK women two points.
In gusty conditions aiding runners along the main straightaway, junior Mikel Thomas broke UK’s varsity record with a time of 13.64 besting his previous record mark of 13.70 set two weeks ago at the SECs. Thomas won his heat, automatically qualifying for the Saturday final.
In the men’s 200m dash junior Jose Acevedo finished sixth overall to qualify for the final in a personal-record time of 20.58, which ranks third all-time at UK. Acevedo?s mark also qualified as a Venezuelan National Record and an Olympic qualifying time. Meanwhile, classmate Gordon McKenzie finished 10th overall crossing the finish in a personal-best time of 20.77, which ranks fifth in school history.
Earlier McKenzie qualified for the men’s 100m dash final with a season-best time of 10.19 in front of a strong gust of wind of 5.1 mph. He placed second in his heat but advanced as one of four at-large qualifiers.
McKenzie and Acevedo also helped guide the UK men’s 4x100m relay team to a time of 39.85, the fourth-best time in the prelims advancing the squad to the final. The team of McKenzie, Acevedo, junior Brandon Austin and sophomore Kwasi Obeng crossed the line in second behind Mississippi State in their heat.
Junior Jessica Ortman made the final in the women’s 800m run with a time of 2:07.16. Ortman placed eighth as one of two at-large qualifiers for the Saturday final. Senior Lavera Morris finished third in her heat in a time of 2:09.30.
Junior Jenna Ortman qualified for the women’s 1500m run final as an at-large entry. Ortman placed 11th with a time of 4:29.54. The top four from each of the two heats and the next four best at-large times qualified for the final.
Senior John Richardson qualified for the men’s 1500m run final as an at-large entry as well. Richardson also placed 11th with a time of 3:47.21.
Competitors finishing in the top-12 at the regional have an opportunity to advance to the NCAA National Meet based on their season-best times. Other top-12 finishers for the Cats on the opening day included both 400 meter dash competitors.
Nursing a slight leg injury, sophomore Jenna Martin finished second in her prelim heat and 10th overall in the women’s 400m dash with a time of 53.64. Martin should advance as an at-large competitor based on her season-best mark.
In the men’s 400m dash, seniors Justin Harrison and Nathan Browning finished 10th and 14th, respectively. Harrison finished third in his heat with a season-best time of 46.92. Browning also finished third in his heat with a time of 47.46.
In the men’s long jump, freshman Derrick Locke finished 11th overall with a jump of 24-8.50.
Thomas finished 11th overall in the men’s 400m hurdle prelims with a time of 51.97.
The UK women’s 4x100m relay team of freshman Bianca Tyson, first-year Danielle Sampley, junior Ashley Trimble and rookie Jazmyn Shorter placed 12th in the prelims with a time of 45.91.
Junior Rashaud Scott finished 12th overall in the men’s shot put with a throw of 55-11.25.
Currently the UK men are ranked at No. 17, one of six nationally-ranked regional squads in the latest top-25 poll. All six teams hail from the Southeastern Conference including No. 1 LSU, No. 7 Arkansas, No.9 Auburn, No. 10 Tennessee and No. 18 Mississippi State.
On the women?s side, Kentucky is competing against five top-25 teams. No. 1 LSU, No. 12 Arkansas, No. 14 Tennessee, No. 18 Michigan and No. 22 Ole Miss will provide tough competition.
Thirty-one Wildcats made the trip to Arkansas to compete for a chance to participate in the NCAA National Meet held in two weeks at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. The Mideast Regional is one of four taking place this weekend. The top-five finishers in each regional event automatically qualify for the NCAA Championship meet.
Live stats of the event will be available at the beginning of the competition on Hogwired.com and the UK track and field schedule page beginning at noon ET Saturday.
A full recap of the Cats? performances will be available after competition on UKathletics.com.
Wildcat Scorers by Event ? Mideast Regional Track and Field Championships after Day 1
MEN (points earned)
High Jump
1. Grant Lindsey ? 7-2.5 (10) REGIONAL CHAMPION
WOMEN (points earned)
Discus
7. Emilee Strot ? 167-10 (2)
Kentucky Mideast Regional Participants Competing on Saturday May 31
Men?s Hammer Throw ? 12:00 p.m. ET
Andy Fryman
Women?s High Jump ? 1:00 p.m. ET
Victoria Dunlap
Women?s Shot Put ? 1:00 p.m. ET
Emilee Strot
Jennifer Svoboda
Women?s Triple Jump ? 5:00 p.m. ET
Ke?Undra Bishop
Men?s Triple Jump ? 5:00 p.m. ET
David Banks
Men?s 4x100m Relay Finals ? 6:10 p.m. ET
Gordon McKenzie ? Jose Acevedo ? Brandon Austin ? Kwasi Obeng
Women?s 1500 Meter Run Finals ? 6:20 p.m. ET
Jenna Ortman
Men?s 1500 Meter Run Finals ? 6:30 p.m. ET
John Richardson
Men?s Discus ? 6:45 p.m. ET
Colin Boevers
Andy Fryman
Chase Madison
Rashaud Scott
Men?s 110 Meter Hurdles Finals ? 6:55 p.m. ET
Mikel Thomas
Men?s 100 Meter Dash Finals ? 7:10 p.m. ET
Gordon McKenzie
Women?s 800 Meter Run Finals ? 7:25 p.m. ET
Jessica Ortman
Men?s 200 Meter Dash Finals ? 8:05 p.m. ET
Jose Acevedo
Women?s Steeplechase ? 8:15 p.m. ET
Andrea Halasek
Jessica Ortman
Men?s Steeplechase ? 8:40 p.m. ET
Andre Silva
Women?s 4x400m Relay Finals ? 9:05 p.m. ET
Bianca Tyson ? Jazmyn Shorter ? Ashley Trimble ? Lavera Morris
Men?s 4x400m Relay Finals ? 9:20 p.m. ET
Nathan Browning ? Justin Harrison ? Kwasi Obeng ? Jose Acevedo
