Feb. 4, 2011
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky track and field team faced its toughest competition to date, in a field that included top-ranked Florida, at the Virginia Tech Elite Meet on Friday in Blacksburg, Va.
Junior Keith Hayes ran his second-fastest 60-meter hurdle race this season, in 7.82, approaching his season-best time of 7.80, which currently ranks ninth in the NCAA. Hayes finished third overall in Friday’s competition behind Miami’s Devon Hill who also edged him out at the Rod McCravy Memorial in Lexington.
The second top-five finish for the Wildcats also came from a men’s sprinter, freshman Kyron Joseph, who finished fifth with a time of 6.82, narrowly missing out on his personal-best time of 6.81. In addition to his 60m dash performance Joseph had his most impressive finish of the day, in the men’s 200m dash. The freshman claimed third with a time of 21.58 followed by fellow freshman Kadeem Kushimo who grabbed fifth in 21.79.
“We are still working on some little things that will make a huge difference down the road,” assistant coach of men’s sprints Erin Tucker said. “I hope they stay patient and enjoy the process.”
Women’s sprints also had a strong showing with senior Jazmyn Shorter leading the way with a seventh-place finish in the 200m dash with a time of 24.66. Sophomore Shiara Robinson posted a time of 57.17 in the women’s 400m dash invitational to finish in seventh position.
Senior Kennan Hall finished sixth in the men’s long jump with a leap of 23-07.25/7.00m. Hall is coming off his first-career win in the long jump at the Rod McCravy Memorial Meet Jan. 29.
On the women’s side in the long jump, freshman Kayla Parker and junior multi-event specialist Precious Nwokey finished 10th and 11th respectively. Parker launched herself 18-01.75/5.53m into the pit on her third attempt while Nwokey only needed her first attempt of 18-00.50/5.50m to secure her final position.
Senior Heather Smith claimed a top-10 finish in the women’s weight throw with a long toss of 58-03.25/17.76m. Smith has a season-best mark of 58-04.50/17.70m set last week at the Rod McCravy.
Kentucky will be back in action tomorrow at 11 a.m. in Virginia Tech’s Rector Field House.
For continuous updates follow the UK track and field team on twitter @KentuckyTrack, and at Ukathletics.com.
Friday’s Field Events
Women’s Long Jump (Auto: 6.38m)
10. Kayla Parker – 18-01.75/5.53m
11. Precious Nwokey – 18-00.50/5.50m
26. Michelle Canterna – 15-11.00/4.85m
Men’s Long Jump (Auto: 7.90m)
6. Keenan Hall – 23-07.25/7.00m
Women’s Weight Throw (Auto: 21.00)
10. Heather Smith – 58-03.25/17.76m
Friday’s Running Events
Women’s 60m Hurdles Prelims (Auto: 8.14)
13. Kayla Parker – 8.69
22. Precious Nwokey – 9.04
25. Ashley Newby – 9.12
Women’s 60m Dash Prelims (Auto: 7.26)
17. Jazmyn Shorter – 7.70
Men’s 60m Hurdles Prelims (Auto: 7.70)
4. Keith Hayes – 7.97q
13. Brandon Bagley – 8.45
Men’s 60m Hurdles Finals (Auto: 7.70)
3. Keith Hayes – 7.82
Men 60m Dash Prelims (Auto: 6.60)
T4. Kyron Joseph – 6.84q
Men 60m Dash Finals (Auto: 6.60)
5. Kyron Joseph – 6.82
Women’s One Mile Run (Auto: 4:37.00)
18. Allison Peare – 5:12.03
19. Megan Wright – 5:12.93
20. Hiruni Wijayaratne – 5:14.53
Women’s 800m Run (Auto: 2:05.00)
21. Katy Achtien
– 2:29.57
Women’s 400m Dash (Auto: 52.60)
7. Shiara Robinson – 57.17
Women’s 200m Dash (Auto: 23.20)
7. Jazmyn Shorter – 24.66
Men’s 200m Dash (Auto: 20.83)
3. Kyron Joseph – 21.58
5. Kadeem Kushimo – 21.79
