May 1, 2010

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

With three victories, four top-20 division one performances, a school record and three personal best marks, the University of Kentucky track and field team began its ascent with the end of the season in sight, Saturday at the Jesse Owens Track Classic in Columbus, Ohio.

The top tier of Kentucky track and field athletes proved to be just that as seniors Ashley Muffet, Rondel Sorrillo, and junior David Banks picked up victories with impressive marks.

After Kristin Smith put up the second best mark in school history in the hammer throw Friday, Ashley Muffet picked up right where Smith left off with her best shot put throw in nearly four years. Muffet moved into first place after her fifth and winning toss of 53-11.25/16.44-meter elevating her out of a tie at 16.41m, falling just short to her school record throw of 54-02.50 in 2006. The senior’s performance improved her national ranking from 16th to 11th in the shot put.

Muffet also competed in the discus throw and came away with a similar result as she finished second with a throw of 179-09/54.78m. Also in the discus, Mary Angell followed up a personal best performance last week with a throw of 171-05/52.24m, the second best throw of her career.

“She (Ashley Muffet) did a great job in difficult weather conditions,” throws coach Doug Reynolds said. “Her (Ashley Muffet), Kristin (Smith), and Mary (Angell) all competed well against the toughest field of collegiate competition that we’ve been up against all season.” 
  
 
  

In his first 100m dash of the year, Sorrillo managed to track down the field after he stumbled out of the blocks. With a time of 10.33, Sorrillo posted a top-20 division one time on his way to a first place finish. This is the second time in three weeks Sorrillo has run in an event for the first time during the outdoor season and won the event.

The third victory of the day came from Banks who followed up his win last week at the Penn Relays. Banks completed a jump of 51-05.50 just eclipsing his school record by half an inch. The junior’s mark moved him into a tie for 16th nationally.

The Billy Hayes Invitational on May 7th in Bloomington, Ind. is all the Wildcats have on their schedule before they head to Knoxville, Tenn. for the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championship May 13-16.

Follow continuous updates at Ukathletics.com.