Feb. 13, 2009

AMES, Iowa – University of Kentucky track and field athletes Heather Smith and Justin Austin both set Wildcat records inside the Lied Recreation Athletic Facility at the Iowa State Classic Friday evening.

Smith broke the Kentucky varsity record in the women’s weight throw. The junior threw a distance of 62-10.75 to topple the old mark by over a foot. Smith finished fourth overall and earned an NCAA provisional qualifying mark as a result of her record-breaking effort. Smith’s mark currently ranks 15th nationally.

Austin made sure his collegiate debut in the men’s 200m dash did not go unnoticed. The freshman sprinter won the race with a scorching time of 21.13 to top DeMarcus Lindsey’s 16-year old mark of 21.23 and earn an NCAA provisional mark in a second event this season. Austin’s time ranks fourth all-time in school history and 13th in the nation going into the weekend.

A trio of Wildcats placed in the top 10 of their respective events.

In the women’s long jump, sophomore Danielle Sampley hit the dirt with a season-best mark of 19-1.50. Sampley’s distance was good for eighth overall. Freshman Colin Heenan finished sixth in the 5,000m unseeded run with a time of 15:12.21. Junior Kristin Smith placed 10th in the weight throw with a mark 55-2.

Competition continues Saturday at 10:30 a.m. ET. Live stats will be available at UKathletics.com.

The Kentucky men’s team stands at No. 18 in the country this week. Six other ranked teams are on-hand this weekend besides the Cats including No. 6 Florida, No. 15 Northern Iowa, No. 19 Oklahoma, No. 20 Nebraska, No. 22 Arizona and No. 25 Missouri. The only other SEC men’s team in Ames is Auburn.

On the women’s side, the Cats are joined by four ranked squads, No.12 Arizona, No.17 Florida, No. 20 Nebraska, No. 24 Auburn as well as SEC foe Vanderbilt.

Be sure to check out live stats Saturday available at UKathletics.com with a recap at the conclusion of the day’s action.