March 20, 2009

TEMPE, Ariz. – Kentucky thrower Ashley Muffet opened the outdoor season with a title in the women’s hammer throw. The Wildcat senior posted an NCAA regional-qualifying mark of 187-11 to win the competition at Arizona State’s Baldy Castillo Invitational at the Joe Selleh Track in Sun Angel Stadium on Friday.

Muffet, who did not compete during the indoor season, made an impressive debut in the only event of the day. The veteran threw her winning distance twice on her third and sixth throws. Her mark is two feet shy of her personal-best throw of 189-11 that ranks third all-time at UK.

UK junior Kristin Smith who ranks second all-time in the event placed fifth overall in the hammer with a distance of 166-9. Classmate Heather Smith finished next in sixth place, throwing a mark of 162-7.

On the men’s side, senior Alex Grietens placed sixth overall in the men’s hammer throw. The Wildcat’s fourth throw was his best of the day, measuring 179-9.

Saturday competition begins with the women’s discus in the morning while the running events are scheduled for early evening, starting with the women’s 100m hurdles.

Several nationally-recognized programs, including several that scored at the NCAA Indoor Championships last weekend, are among the teams competing in the invitational. Those teams include Arizona State (men t-5th, women 5th), BYU (women 3rd, men t-41st), Kentucky (men 19th), Louisville (women t-22nd), Minnesota (men 12th), Nebraska (men t-5th), North Dakota State (women t-56th) and New Mexico (men t-16th).

Click UKathletics.com for a full recap of the Wildcats’ results from Saturday.