Feb. 6, 2010
BLACKSBURG, Va. — An impressive performance for the Kentucky track and field team concluded with three in the top six of the women’s shot put and a win by freshman Walter Luttrell in the 5,000 meters at the Virginia Tech Elite Meet, held on Saturday at Rector Field House.
Ashley Muffet finished in fourth place with her best throw of the season and extended her NCAA provisional qualifying mark to 16.21 meters (53 feet, 02.25 inches). In fifth place was junior Jennifer Svoboda, who claimed an NCAA provisional qualifying mark with a throw of 15.33 (50-03.50), followed closely by Mary Angell, who also had a season-best throw of 15.15 (49-08.50) to finish sixth.
“A great team performance by all of them,” throws coach Doug Reynolds said. “Individually, each one still has things to work on but they competed well as a group.”
A very consistent group of throwers began on Friday with Kristin Smith in the weight throw. Smith threw an NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 20.57 meters (67-06.00) to claim victory and furthered her own school record for a third-consecutive competition.
On the men’s side Colin Boevers, coming off a personal best at the Rod McCravy Memorial Meet, placed eighth with a throw of 16.78 meters (55-00.75).
“If we refine a few things technically and compete like that at the SEC’s (league meet), we will have a great opportunity to contribute to team success,” Reynolds said.
Walter Luttrell, a freshman from Dayton, Ohio, brought Kentucky its only win of the day in the 5,000-meter run. Luttrell improved his previous personal best by 19 seconds, an impressive achievement because last May, he had quadruple compartment syndrome surgery.
“This is a huge success,” distance coach John Mortimer said.
Jenna Martin started off the women’s 4x400m relay strong with the first split time of 54.56 followed by Jazmyn Shorter and Brittany Cabbler in the second and third leg. In the anchor legs, Precious Nwokey made the final push with the best split time of the four, running the final 400m in 53.73 to finish fourth. The final time of 3:39.98 was an NCAA provisional qualifying time, making it the second time they have achieved the feat this season.
The Wildcats had two men’s distance medley relay teams make their first appearance of the season Saturday and both finished in the top five. Kentucky ‘B,’ consisting of Patrick McGregor, Cody Miller, Trent Halasek and Chris Heibell, finished with a time of 9:56.05 to finish in second, two spots ahead of Kentucky ‘A’ who finished fourth. Kentucky ‘A,’ consisting of Jeremy Zagorski, Justin Haire, William Rover, and Bruce Hordusky, posted a time of 10:13.37.
In the triple jump, David Banks posted a season-best mark of 49-06.50 feet on his final attempt to finish in sixth place. Also, in the triple jump, Keenon Hall finished in eighth place with a best jump of 48-06.25.
On the women’s side in the triple jump, Ke’Undra Bishop added over two feet to her season-best mark set previously at the Kentucky Invitational. Bishop peaked on her third attempt at a length of 40-05.50 feet to finish in seventh place.
Friday’s events were highlighted by senior Rondel Sorrillo who finished with an NCAA automatic qualifying time of 6.60. His Virginia Tech Elite Meet victory moves him into the first place slot as fastest 60m time in the country this season.
The Kentucky men were one of five ranked teams among the 11 squads that participated in the Virginia Tech Elite Meet. Half of the 10 women’s squads are ranked in the top 25.
Kentucky results with NCAA Automatic and Provisional times listed below:
Mens Shot Put: (AUTO: 19.30; PROV: 17.75)
8. Colin Boevers – 16.78/55-00.75
Womens Triple Jump: (AUTO: 13.30; PROV: 12.65)
7. Ke’Undra Bishop – 12.33/40-05.50
Mens Triple Jump: (AUTO: 16.15; PROV: 15.45)
6. David Banks – 15.10/49-06.50
8. Keenon Hall – 14.79/48-06.25
Womens Shot Put: (AUTO: 16.90; PROV: 15.20)
4. Ashley Muffet – P16.21/53-02.25
5. Jennifer Svoboda – P15.33/50-03.50
6. Mary Angell – 15.15/49-08.50
11. Kristin Smith – 12.95/42-06.00
Mens Distance Medley Relay: (AUTO: 9:30.00; PROV: 9:41.70)
2. Kentucky B – 9:56.16
4. Kentucky A – 10:13.37
Womens 400m Dash – Open Section: (AUTO: 52.40; PROV: 54.40)
15. Shiara Robinson – 59.19
Mens 5000m Run: (AUTO: 13:47.00; PROV: 14:10.00)
1. Walter Luttrell – 14:41.65
7. Joseph Jackson – 15:53.09
Womens 1600m Relay: (Auto: 3:33.00; PROV: 3:40.00)
4. Kentucky A – P3:39.98
Mens 1600m Relay: (AUTO: 3:06.50; PROV: 3:10.40)
3. Kentucky A – 3:13.35
