Kentucky Wraps Up USA Track & Field Championships

By Jacob Most

June 23, 2013

DES MOINES, Iowa. – Keith Hayes and Rebecca Famurewa concluded the United States Outdoor Track and Field Championships for Kentucky on Sunday at Drake Stadium.

Hayes completed his incredible Kentucky career having reached the USA 110-meter hurdles semifinal. He looked to have gotten out of the blocks nicely, but began hitting hurdles at the third barrier. Hayes eventually failed to clear the seventh hurdle and did not finish a stacked semifinal heat, which featured the world record holder, 2012 Olympic Gold and Silver Medalists and the former American Record holder.

The four-time All-American concluded his Wildcat career as arguably the greatest hurdler in school history, as he owns the school sprint hurdles records both indoors and outdoors.

Rebecca Famurewa competed in the USA Senior Discus Throw Championship one day after picking up the USA Junior Silver Medal in the same discipline. The redshirt freshman placed thirteenth with a top throw that traveled 49.04 meters / 160 feet 11 inches. She had a top mark 52.39m/171’10” on Saturday in the juniors as both days of competition came with difficult wind conditions.

Famurewa, a 2013 honorable mention All-American,  earned a spot on the 2013 U.S. team that will compete at the 2013 Pan Am Junior Games in Medellin, Colombia August 23 -25 by virtue of her Junior Championship performance.

Multiple former international Wildcats competed at their National Championships this weekend as well.

Mikel Thomas won the Trinidad and Tobago 110m hurdles Championship on Saturday clocking a time of 13.29w (+3.0). Thomas, a two-time Olympian, was the UK-record holder before Hayes.

Former Wildcat Jenna Martin, a 2012 Olympian, was runner-up in the Canada 400m Championship with a time of 52.97 on Saturday.

Rondel Sorrillo, a two-time Olympian and 2010 NCAA 200m Champion, finished third in the T&T 100m final, as he ran 9.99w (+3.2) on Saturday. Sorrillo was in his National 200m field on Sunday, but results are not yet available.

The top three finishers in each event at the USA Senior Outdoor Championships that have met the “A” qualifying standard in their respective events by July 20 will represent the U.S. at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow this summer.

Four members of UK’s 2013 team – recent graduate Hayes, Kayla Parker (100-meter hurdles) and Andrew Evans (discus) and Famurewa – all competed at the USA Championships.

Four UK alumni – Sharif Webb (800m), Chase Madison (discus), Andy Fryman (hammer) and Smith (hammer) – were also in the USA Championships field.

Kentucky alumna Kristin Smith, the school-record holder in the hammer throw, finished 8th in the US HT Championship with a top mark 66.96m/219’8″ on Saturday.

UK alumus Chase Madison placed fifth in the #USAoutdoors men’s discus final with a top mark 55.24m/181’3″, which came on his fifth attempt on Friday.

Webb, the UK school-record holder in the event, placed 24th in the 800m first round with a time of 1:50.10 on Thursday.

Also in the USA Championship field was current staff member and former All-American at Wisconsin Ann Detmer. The UK track and field graduate assistant ran 10:35.02 for 26th overall in the 3,000m steeplechase first round on Thursday.

USA OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS – Results