April 16, 2011
Lexington, Ky. – The University of Kentucky track and field team concluded action at the 2011 Sea Ray Relays with several outstanding performances, but none more than from senior Keenan Hall, who was awarded the Tony Wilson Memorial Trophy for being the most outstanding male field athlete during the meet, Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn.
The Tony Wilson Memorial Trophy is given each year to the most outstanding male and female athlete in both the running and field events at the Sea Ray Relays. The trophy is named in honor of Wilson, who was the SEC high jump champion in 1971 while competing for Tennessee.
“It was a great weekend for Keenan (Hall),” assistant coach of jumps, vaults and multi-events James Thomas said. “He has continually improved over the last couple of months and now we’re beginning to see the results of his work. With that said, I still think there is room for improvement and we are excited about that.”
The senior competed for the second-straight day in less than perfect conditions due to strong winds and intermittent rainfall, but still managed to earn a second-place finish in the long jump with a mark of 7.46m/24-05.75. That combined with his performance on Friday earned him the crown of most outstanding male field athlete.
Hall won the men’s triple jump with a personal-best mark of 15.56-meter/51-00.75 Friday, for his second victory in two weeks. The senior won the long jump title at the Border Battle: Kentuckiana in Louisville on April 9, also recording a career-best leap during that effort. Each of his performances landed him third on UK’s all-time long jump and triple jump lists.
Junior Luis Orta won the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:10.51. In addition to his impressive work on the track, Orta and teammate Josh Nadzam have started a shoe drive on campus that will last until May 6. For more information check out the track and field shoe drive post on the Cat Scratches blog via UKathletics.com.
For the women, senior Mary Angell continued her streak of consistent performances with a second-place finish in the discus throw on a long toss of 53.57m/175-09. Angell also competed in the shot put and finished sixth with a throw of 15.13m/49-07.75.
In the final event of the day, the women’s 4x400m relay squad posted a time of 3:51.38 to finish fourth in the event.
The Kentucky track and field team will be back in action April 23-24, sending split squads to the Jesse Owens Track Classic and UCSD Triton Invitational.
Women’s Results (Saturday)
Discus Throw
2. Mary Angell – 53.57m/175-09
Shot Put
6. Mary Angell – 15.13m/49-07.75
Long Jump
14. Michell Canterna – 4.94m/16-02.50
4×400-Meter Relay
4. Kentucky ‘A’ – 3:51.38
Men’s Results (Saturday)
Long Jump
2. Keenan Hall – 7.46m/24-05.75
3,000-Meter Steeplechase
1. Luis Orta – 9:10.51
