June 28, 2014

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Kentucky track and field teams concluded the 2014 United States Outdoor Championships with three top-10 finishers, with two of them having come on Saturday.

Sha’Keela Saunders, a redshirt freshman, finished seventh overall and as the top collegian and amateur in the USATF senior long jump with a best mark of 21-0.75/ 6.42m into -0.9 wind on Saturday. Britney Reese, the 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist in the event, won with a mark of 22-8 ½/6.92m.

Kendra Harrison, a junior, finished seventh in the 100m hurdles final, with a time of 12.92 (-1.6w), after she ran 12.93 in the semifinal round. Dawn Harper-Nelson, the 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist and 2012 Silver Medalist, won in 12.55.

Andrew Evans, the 2012 and 2014 Southeastern Conference Champion, finished eighth overall in the discus with a throw of 195-7/59.61m on Friday.

Both Saunders and Harrison qualified for the U.S. team that will compete at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Under-23 Championships, which will be held in British Columbia, Canada in August.

Matt Hillenbrand also qualified for the U.S. team that will compete at the NACAC U-23 Championships as he finished 12^th in the USATF 1,500m Final with a time of 3:50.31.

Leah Nugent placed 14^th in the U.S. 400m hurdles semifinal as she ran 1:00.68, after clocking a 58.88 first-round time.

Allison Peare placed 19th overall in both the 800m and 1,500m.

Kayla Parker finished 17th overall in the 100m hurdles.

S/O to @Ray_Dykstra_CAN for his 257 foot school record, Canadian senior champion and under 23 national team member. #BBN #UKTF

— Edrick Floreal (@TrackKentucky) June 29, 2014