June 6, 2008
Lexington, Ky. – Twelve University of Kentucky track and field athletes earned recognition on the track as All-Mideast Region selections while two Wildcats were selected to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second Team this week. In addition, another Cat’s regional performance qualified him for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China, later this year.
Halasek and Miller Honored as Academic All-District Second Team Members
Junior track and field teammates Andrea Halasek and Taylor Miller each earned the distinction of being named to ESPN The Magazine All-District Second Team as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) this week.
Miller, a native of Owensboro, Ky., has accrued a 3.91 GPA in English Education while competing three years in both indoor and outdoor track as well as cross country for the Cats. Earlier this season at Stanford, the distance runner set a personal-best time of 35:45.29 in the outdoor 10,000 meter run which ranks fourth-best all-time at UK. This is the second-straight year that Miller has earned Academic All-District honors.
Halasek hails from Georgetown, Ky., and has also competed three years for the Cats’ cross country and track and field teams. The distance specialist has compiled a 3.43 GPA in Elementary Education. Halasek has dazzled on the track this season for UK by setting a new steeplechase varsity record of 10:35.76 while competing at the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championships. She was also one of three Kentucky women to score points at the Mideast Regional for the Cats by placing eighth in the steeplechase. Earlier this season, Halasek was recognized by the SEC for her community service as part of the Good Works Team.
The honorees were also both integral parts of the UK cross country team that placed fourth at the Southeast Regional last fall.
Junior Jose Acevedo to Compete at 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China
Sprinter Jose Acevedo’s impressive performance in the 200 meter dash at the Mideast Regional last week earned the Wildcat an opportunity to compete as a member of his home country of Venezuela’s Olympic Track and Field squad later this year in Beijing.
Acevedo broke the Venezuelan National Record in the 200m dash after crossing the line in 20.58 twice, once in the prelims and again the next day in the event final. His time beat the Olympic “A” standard of 20.59, qualifying him for the games.
The junior’s 2008 Olympic Games participation extends the Kentucky Track and Field Team’s streak of having a Wildcat perform in each of the summer Olympic Games since 1976 in Montreal with the exception of the heavily boycotted 1980 games held in Moscow. During the 2004 summer Olympic Games in Athens, Acevedo’s former UK teammate and fellow countryman, Luis Luna, also ran for Venezuela.
Twelve Wildcats Selected as All-Mideast Region Team members by USTFCCCA
The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced its All-Region team this week. Typically, the top-eight finalists in each region’s events are recognized as All-Region team members.
Three Cats earned multiple honors. Senior Andy Fryman won accolades in two individual events: the men’s discus and hammer throw. Two members of the men’s 4x100m relay also were honored in an individual event, junior Gordon McKenzie in the 100m dash and classmate Jose Acevedo in the 200m dash.
Men
Jose Acevedo – 200m dash, 4x100m relay
Brandon Austin – 4x100m relay
Andy Fryman – discus, hammer throw
Grant Lindsey – high jump
Gordon McKenzie – 100m dash, 4x100m relay
Kwasi Obeng – 4x100m relay
John Richardson – 1500m run
Rashaud Scott – discus
Mikel Thomas – 110m hurdles
Women
Andrea Halasek – steeplechase
Jessica Ortman – 800m run
Emilee Strot – discus
