November 5, 2009
Three teams from Kentucky are among the top 10 ranked cross country squads in the Southeast Region, both on the men’s and women’s lists compiled by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Cory Thorne
The top ranking among state schools came from the Louisville men at No. 4. William & Mary is No. 1, followed by North Carolina State, Virginia and Louisville.
The Cardinals, who will host the NCAA Southeast Regional on Saturday, Nov. 14, are coming off a fourth-place finish in the Big East Conference championships. Cory Thorne, a senior, became U of L’s first-ever Big East cross country individual champion.
After Louisville comes No. 5 Duke, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Eastern Kentucky and, at No. 10, Kentucky.
Wesley Ruttoh
EKU, led by individual champion Wesley Ruttoh, captured its fourth consecutive Ohio Valley Conference championship last weekend.
UK, paced by Luis Orta in 13th place, finished seventh at the Southeastern Conference championships.
Ranked women’s teams from the Bluegrass are Western Kentucky, Kentucky and Louisville at 7-8-9.
Duke leads the women’s rankings, trailed by Virginia, N.C. State, North Carolina, William & Mary, James Madison and the three Kentucky teams. Charlotte completes the top 10.
Janet Jesang
Chelsea Oswald
Western got a 1-2 finish from Janet Jesang and Marion Kandie to run away with its fourth consecutive Sun Belt Conference title.
UK, led by freshman Chelsea Oswald in 14th place, took eighth in the SEC meet.
Sixth-place individual Tarah McKay helped U of L’s team take seventh at the Big East meet.
Astros add pair of former Legends to 40-man roster
The Houston Astros announced Thursday that they have purchased the contracts of left-handed pitcher Fernando Abad and infielder Wladimir Sutil, and added the pair to the 40-man roster.
Fernando Abad
Wladimir Sutil
Both former Lexington Legends were eligible to become minor-league free agents if they had not been added to the 40-man roster by Monday.
Abad, 23, has been in the Astros system for seven seasons. The Dominican spent most of the 2009 campaign with High-A Lancaster, where he was 4-6 with a 4.14 ERA over 41 relief appearances. He struck out 79 and walked only eight. He also made three starts for Double-A Corpus Christi, where he was 0-1 with a 3.21 ERA, 13 strikeouts and three walks.
With the 2008 Legends, Abad was 2-7 with a 3.30 ERA over 45 relief outings. He struck out 94 and walked 13 over 76 1/3 innings. Over his seven seasons in the minors, spanning 410 2/3 innings, Abad has struck out 437 and walked only 59.
Sutil, a Venezuelan who played 66 games over parts of two seasons with the Legends, earned Texas League post-season all-star honors with Corpus Christi in 2009. The shortstop hit .273 over 125 games, with a homer, 37 RBI, 77 runs scored and a club-best 19 stolen bases. He had more walks (44) than strikeouts (42).
Sutil played six games for Lexington in 2005, going 6-for-23 (.261) and driving in three runs. In 2006, he played 60 games with the team before being promoted to High-A. He hit .272 for the Legends, with 12 RBI, 31 runs and 20 stolen bases. Over seven seasons in the Astros system, Sutil has 161 stolen bases.
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Baseball, Big East Conference, Charlotte, College of William & Mary, Corpus Christi Hooks, Duke University, Eastern Kentucky University, Houston Astros, James Madison University, Lancaster JetHawks, Lexington Legends, NCAA Southeast Regional, North Carolina State University, Ohio Valley Conference, Southeast Region, Southeastern Conference, Sun Belt Conference, Texas League, U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Associ, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of North Carolina, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Western Kentucky University, cross country | Tagged: Chelsea Oswald, Cory Thorne, Fernando Abad, Janet Jesang, Luis Orta, Marion Kandie, Tarah McKay, Wesley Ruttoh, Wladimir Sutil | 
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Posted by Mark Maloney
June 13, 2009
Rondel Sorrillo
Kentucky junior Rondel Sorrillo finished a strong second place in Saturday’s 200-meter dash for men at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Sorrillo came up big after UK discus throwers Rashaud Scott and Chase Madison failed to score at Fayetteville, Ark.
Texas A&M, under Coach Pat Henry, swept the men’s and women’s team championships. LSU, then coached by Henry, is the only other school to sweep the men’s and women’s crowns, in 1989 and 1990.
Sorrillo, a junior who competed for Trinidad and Tobago at last year’s Beijing Olympics, finished in 20.70 seconds. Florida State junior Charles Clark won in 20.55.
Sorrillo’s eight points pushed the Wildcats’ total to 15, moving the team from 30th place to 15th. Sorrillo was involved in all 15 points, placing fifth in Friday’s 100-meter dash and anchoring UK’s 4-by-100-meter relay to a sixth-place finish.
Gavin Smellie
In the 200, after Sorrillo came Auburn freshman Marcus Rowland in 20.82, Texas A&M’s Gerald Phiri in 20.83 and Western Kentucky senior Gavin Smellie in 20.96. Smellie’s four points put the Hilltoppers in a tie for 46th place with Louisville, 4-4.
In the discus, seniors Scott and Madison both have career bests of more than 200 feet. They didn’t come close to that distance at the University of Arkansas’ John McDonnell Field.
Chase Madison
Martin Maric, a senior from Cal, came through on the final throw of the competion – 196 feet, 3 inches — to nip Arizona State’s Ryan Whiting by an inch.
Scott, the defending champion, was coming off a school-record and NCAA-leading 216-2 regional victory. He was eliminated after three attempts Saturday. After opening at 179-3, Scott fouled his last two tries to wind up in 10th.
The top nine throwers advance to another round of three throws.
Rashaud Scott
Madison made it in on his third throw overall, 182-0, but was unable to improve. He fouled on four of his six attempts and finished ninth.
Louisville’s Andrew Hackney came in 12th at 177-2.
U of L’s Jere’ Summers, who qualified first in the women’s discus with a mark of 183-2, fouled on all three attempts in Saturday’s finals. That left her 12th overall. D’Andra Carter of Texas Tech won wth a throw of 182-6.
Texas A&M secured the men’s team title by placing second to Florida State in the final event, the 4-by-400 relay. The Aggies wound up with 48 points. Florida State, Florida and Oregon tied for second place with 46 each.
Southeastern Conference teams bagged eight of the top 17 spots. In addition to Florida’s second-place tie, the SEC had LSU in fifth, South Carolina sixth, Arkansas ninth, Georgia 11th, Auburn 12, UK 15th and Mississippi State 17th.
A&M’s women totaled 50 points. Second-ranked Oregon edged Arizona State for second place, 43-41. Western Kentucky tied for 52nd place with four points.
The SEC had three teams in the women’s top 10: No. 6 LSU, No. 9 Florida and No. 10 Tennessee.
No Comments » | Arizona State University, Auburn University, Beijing Olympics, CBS, Florida State University, LSU, Mississippi State University, NCAA Outdoor Championships, Oregon, Southeastern Conference, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Track and field, Trinidad and Tobago, University of California, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee, Western Kentucky University | Tagged: 200 meters, Charles Clark, Chase Madison, D'Andra Carter, discus, Gavin Smellie, Gerald Phiri, Jere' Summers, Marcus Rowland, Martin Maric, Pat Henry, Rashaud Scott, Rondel Sorrillo, Ryan Whiting | Permalink
Posted by Mark Maloney
June 13, 2009
Rondel Sorrillo was Kentucky’s top performer Friday, the rain-delayed third day of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Fayetteville, Ark.
Sorrillo ran the third-fastest 100 meters in UK history to place fifth in the country, timed in 10.22 seconds. LSU’s Trindon Holliday won in 10.00.
Sorrillo, a junior who competed for Trinidad and Tobago in the 200-meter dash at last summer’s Beijing Olympics, also anchored the Wildcats’ 4-by-100 relay Friday.
Rondel Sorrillo
The foursome of Gordon McKenzie, Jose Acevedo, Kwasi Obeng and Sorrillo clocked 39.27, good for sixth place. The time ranks fourth-best in school history.
Sorrillo is set to run the 200-meter finals Saturday, to be televised live by CBS. Also in the finals is Gavin Smellie of Western Kentucky.
The Southeastern Conference dominated the relay, placing 1-2-4-5-6-7. Clemson, from the Atlantic Coast Conference, broke up the pack by finishing third.
Florida won in 38.58. Holliday anchored LSU to second place in 38.67. After Clemson came Mississippi State, South Carolina, UK and Auburn.
Corey Thorne
Tone Belt
Louisville had two finalists Friday, both placing seventh.
Tone Belt cleared 7-1 1/2 in the high jump. Scott Sellers of Kansas State won at 7-5.
Cardinals steeplechaser Corey Thorne finished the 3,000-meter event in 8:45.86. Kyle Perry of Brigham Young took top honors in 8:29.24.
Janet Jesang
In women’s action, Western Kentucky’s Janet Jesang, a junior from Uganda, placed fifth in 16:32.59. Illinois junior Angela Bizzarri snared first place in 16:17.94. Runner-up Nicole Blood of Oregon was more than 8 1/2 seconds back in 16:26.58.
UK heptathlete Ashley Trimble began Friday in 19th place. She rallied to finish 14th with 5,459 points. Oregon’s Brianne Theisen was the only competitor to break 6,000 points, scoring 6,086.
Ashley Trimble
Trimble scored 680 points in the long jump (17-9 3/4), then finished with career bests in the final two events. Her javelin throw of 118-8 was worth 594 points, and her 800-meter time of 2:11.32 scored 945 more.
U of L’s Seidre Forde fell 8 1/4 inches shy of qualifying for finals of the women’s triple jump. Needing a top-12 finish, she finished 21st at 41-10.
No Comments » | 100 meters, 200 meters, 400-meter relay, 5000 meters, 800 meters, Atlantic Coast Conference, Auburn University, Beijing Olympics, Brigham Young University, CBS, Clemson, Javelin, Kansas State University, LSU, Mississippi State University, NCAA Outdoor Championships, Oregon, Southeastern Conference, Track and field, Trinidad and Tobago, Triple jump, University of Florida, University of Illinois, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of South Carolina, Western Kentucky University, heptathlon, high jump, steeplechase | Tagged: Angela Bizzarri, Ashley Trimble, Brianne Theisen, Corey Thorne, Gavin Smellie, Gordon McKenzie, Janet Jesang, Jose Acevedo, Kwasi Obeng, Kyle Perry, Nicole Blood, Rondel Sorrillo, Scott Sellers, Seidre Forde, Tone Belt, Trindon Holliday | Permalink
Posted by Mark Maloney
June 11, 2009
University of Kentucky discus throwers Rashaud Scott and Chase Madison made it through Thursday’s qualifying round of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and into Saturday’s finals at the University of Arkansas.
Chase Madison
Rashaud Scott
Scott, the defending champion, had the fourth-best mark among 12 finalists, 193-8. Fellow senior Madison ranked 10th at 187-9.
Martin Maric of California was the furthest throw of the day, 201-10.
Louisville’s Andrew Harding claimed the last qualifying spot, throwing 184-8. The Cardinals’ Josh Greenwald did not advance, finishing 17th at 179-11.
UK’s 4-by-400 relay men had one of their poorer results of the year and failed to advance to the finals. Western Kentucky also was knocked out.
The UK quartet of Kwasi Obeng, Stephan Smith, Brandon Austin and Jose Acevedo placed fifth in the third heat and 16th overall with a time of 3:08.15. First-place Florida State had the fastest time of the three heats, 3:03.13.
Gavin Smellie
Western’s Gavin Smellie, Terrill McCombs, Alexander Larin and Romaine McKay also placed fifth in their heat, 13th overall, in 3:06.35.
Rondel Sorrillo
However, Smellie advanced through two rounds of the 200 meters to reach Saturday’s finals, as did UK’s Rondel Sorrillo.
Smellie had the fastest time in the first round, 20.65. Sorrillo won his heat and ranked fifth overall in 20.87.
Chris Dykes of Texas A&M paced the semifinals in 20.40. Sorrillo stepped up to second, winning his heat in a school-record 20.45. Smellie, running the same heat as Sorrillo, took fourth in the race and seventh overall in 20.57.
U of L’s Summers leads qualifying in women’s discus
Jere' Summers
Louisville’s Jere’ Summers led qualifying in the women’s discus with a throw of 183-2.
Ashley Muffet
Emilee Strot
Both UK throwers failed to advance. Ashley Muffet wound up 17th at 161-2 and Emilee Strot was 22nd at 153-1.
UK’s Ashley Trimble is in 19th place with 3,240 points after the first four disciplines in the heptathlon. The long jump, javelin and 800 meters will decide the final outcome Friday.
Southern Cal’s Nia Ali leads with 3,663 points.
Trimble’s best result Thursday came in the 100-meter hurdles. Her time of 13.67 was sixth-best and worth 1,026 points.
Ashley Trimble
She avoided a no-height disaster in the high jump, but didn’t make it past her opening height. She cleared 5-0 1/2 on her final try to score 666.
Trimble followed that with a 38-0 (633 points) in the shot put and 24.69 (915 points) in the 200 meters.
Louisville’s Tarah McKay finished 27th (last) in preliminaries of the 1,500 meters, 4:27.01.
Western’s Miaie Williams eked through the first round of the 200, getting the 18th and final qualifying spot in 23.85.
In the semifinals, though, her 23.84 still ranked her 18th and eliminated her.
No Comments » | Florida State University, NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Southern Cal, Texas A&M, Track and field, University of Arkansas, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University | Tagged: 100-meter hurdles, 1500 meters, 200 meters, 4-by-400 relay, 800 meters, Alexander Larin, Andrew Harding, Ashley Muffet, Ashley Trimble, Brandon Austin, Chase Madison, Chris Dykes, discus, Emilee Strot, Gavin Smellie, heptathlon, high jump, Javelin, Jere' Summers, Jose Acevedo, Josh Greenwald, Kwasi Obeng, long jump, Martin Maric, Miaie Williams, Nia Ali, Rashaud Scott, Romaine McKay, Rondel Sorrillo, shot put, Stephan Smith, Tarah McKay, Terrill McCombs | Permalink
Posted by Mark Maloney
June 9, 2009
The University of Kentucky men’s team jumped from 20th to No. 11 in the final U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll of the season. The NCAA Outdoor Championships open Wednesday at the University of Arkansas and continue through Saturday.
Texas A&M moved from No. 2 to No. 1 in the final poll. Oregon also moved up a spot to No. 2, followed by four Southeastern Conference squads — previously top-ranked Florida, Arkansas (up from 6), LSU (up from 8th) and South Carolina. In all, the SEC has eight of the top 20 teams.
Texas A&M also moved from No. 2 to No. 1 in the women’s poll, switching places with Oregon. Third is LSU, which leads five SEC teams in the top 20.
UK has the top-ranked women’s team from the state, improving from No. 34 to 32.
The UK men are led by Rashaud Scott, the Field Athlete of the Year in the Southeast Region (see below). He is coming off a sweep of regional shot put and discus titles and is defending NCAA champion in the latter event. He is ranked No. 1 in the discus and No. 8 in the shot. Teammate Chase Madison is No. 7 in the discus.
In addition, the Wildcats qualified in both the 4-by-100 and 4-by-400 relays, ranking sixth and 12th, respectively.
Rondel Sorrillo, who anchors the 4-by-100 unit, also made it in the 100 (ranked No. 22) and 200 (No. 5).
Louisville’s men improved from 37th to 29th in the team rankings. The Cardinals are led by a pair of top 10-ranked athletes — Corey Thorne, No. 2 in the steeplecase, and Tone Belt, No. 6 in the high jump.
Western Kentucky jumped 14 spots to No. 37. The Hilltoppers are led by Gavin Smellie, ranked No. 2 in the 200, and Mandhla Mgijima, No. 7 in the long jump.
Eastern Kentucky moved from No. 163 to 137. The Colonels’ lone NCAA qualifier is 5,000-meter runner Joseph Maina (No. 27).
UK’s women have four NCAA qualifiers, all ranked 17th or better: Ashley Muffet (No. 4, discus), Kristin Smith (No. 7, hammer throw), Ashley Trimble (No. 11, heptathlon) and Emilee Strot (No. 17, discus).
Louisville is ranked No. 35, an improvement of 14 spots. The Cards are led by Jere’ Summers, who ranks sixth in the discus and 10th in the shot.
Western Kentucky jumped 19 spots to No. 53. Janet Jesang, No. 5 at 5,000 meters, leads the Hilltoppers.
The final team rankings:
WOMEN
1. Texas A&M
2. Oregon
3. LSU
4. Arizona State
5. Tennessee
6. Florida State; 7. Southern Cal; 8. Penn State; 9. Baylor; 10. Texas.
11. Michigan; 12. UCLA; 13. Miami (Fla.); 14. Florida; 15. Washington.
16. UTEP; 17. Oklahoma; 18. Arkansas; 19. Nebraska; 20. Auburn.
21. Illinois; 22. Virginia Tech; 23. Indiana; 24. BYU; 25. Stanford.
MEN
1. Texas A&M
2. Oregon
3. Florida
4. Arkansas
5. LSU
6. South Carolina; 7. So. Cal; 8. Stanford; 9. Nebraska; 10. Ariz. State.
11. KENTUCKY; 12. Fla. State; 13. Miss. State; 14. Texas; 15. Auburn.
16. Minnesota; 17. Kansas State; 18. Texas; 19. Baylor; 20. Georgia.
21. Wash.; 22. Arizona; 23. Cal; 24. Boise State; 25. Wash. State.
Division I regional athletes and coaches of the year
Rashaud Scott
Erik Jenkins
Kentucky shot put/discus ace Rashaud Scott has been named by the USTFCCCA as men’s Field Athlete of the Year in the Southeast Region.
Western Kentucky’s Erik Jenkins was named Women’s Head Coach of the Year in the Southeast Region.
The full list of award winners follows.
Name (school) region
Tiffany Ofili
Women’s track — Tiffany Ofili (Michigan) Great Lakes; Clara Grandt (West Virginia) Mid-Atlantic; Angela Bizzari (Illinois) Midwest; Jenny Barringer (Colorado) Mountain; Danette Doetzel (Providence) Northeast; Murielle Ahoure (Miami, Fla.) South; Porscha Lucas (Texas A&M) South Central; Francena McCorory (Hampton) Southeast; Charonda Williams (Arizona State) West.
Destinee Hooker
Women’s field — Kara Patterson (Purdue) Great Lakes; Gayle Hunter (Penn State) Mid-Atlantic; Liz Roehrig (Minnesota) Midwest; Blessing Okagbare (UTEP) Mountain; Tahari James (Boston U.) Northeast; Kim Williams (Florida State) South; Destinee Hooker (Texas) South Central; Dorotea Habazin (Virginia Tech); Southeast; Sarah Stevens (Arizona State) West.
Trindon Holliday
Men’s track — Adam Harris (Michigan) Great Lakes; Sean Tully (Villanova) Mid-Atlantic; German Fernandez (Oklahoma State) Midwest; Gil Roberts (Texas Tech) Mountain; Kyle Heath (Syracuse) Northeast; Calvin Smith (Florida) South; Trindon Holliday (LSU) South Central; Sam Chelanga (Liberty) Southeast; Galen Rupp (Oregon) West.
Aston Eaton
Men’s field — Derek Drouin (Indiana) Great Lakes; Clarence Smith (Penn State) Mid-Atlantic; Will Claye (Oklahoma) Midwest; Dimitrios Fylladitakis (UTEP) Mountain; Nico Weiler (Harvard) Northeast; Chris Hill (Georgia) South; Jason Colwick (Rice) South Central; RASHAUD SCOTT (KENTUCKY) Southeast; Ashton Eaton (Oregon) West.
T. Buford-Bailey
Women’s head coach — James Henry (Michigan) Great Lakes; Beth Alford-Sullivan (Penn State) Mid-Atlantic; Tonja Buford-Bailey (Illinois) Midwest; Wes Kittley (Texas Tech) Mountain; Bill Morgan (Connecticut) Northeast; Caryl Smith Gilbert (Central Florida) South; Jim Bevan (Rice) South Central; ERIC JENKINS (WESTERN KENTUCKY) Southeast; Dan Steele (Oregon) West.
Brian Forrester
Women’s assistant — Brian Forrester (Akron) Great Lakes; Chris Miltenberg (Georgetown U.) Mid-Atlantic; Marc Burns (Wichita State) Midwest; Scott Irving (U.S. Air Force Academy) Mountain; Clive Terrelong (Connecticut) Northeast; Karen Harvey (Florida State) South; Vince Anderson (Texas A&M) South Central; Carrie Lane (Virginia) Southeast; Robert Johnson (Oregon) West.
Chris Bucknam
Men’s head coach – Dennis Mitchell (Akron) Great Lakes; Joe Compagni (Monmouth) Mid-Atlantic; Gary Pepin (Nebraska) Midwest; Mark Robison (Brigham Young) Mountain; Nathan Taylor (Cornell) Northeast; Michael Holloway (Florida) South; Tie: Chris Bucknam (Arkansas) and Sean Brady (Southeastern Louisiana) South Central; Jason Vigilante (Virginia) Southeast; Ron Allice (Southern California) West.
Don Babbitt
Men’s assistant – Rodney Zuyderwyk (Purdue) Great Lakes; Sheila Burrell (Georgetown U.) Mid-Atlantic; Billy Maxwell (Nebraska) Midwest; Dion Miller (Texas Tech) Mountain; Michelle Eisenreich (Brown) Northeast; Don Babbit (Georgia) South; Dick Booth (Arkansas) South Central; Tim Hall (Clemson) Southeast; Mark MacDonald (Washington State) West.
No Comments » | 100 meters, 200 meters, 4-by-100 relay, 4-by-400 relay, Angela Bizzari, Arizona State University, Ashley Muffet, Ashley Trimble, Ashton Eaton, Auburn University, Baylor University, Beth Alford Sullivan, Bill Morgan, Billy Maxwell, Blessing Okagbare, Boise State University, Boston University, Brian Forrester, Brigham Young University, Brown University, Calvin Smith, Carrie Lane, Caryl Smith Gilbert, Central Florida, Charonda Williams, Chase Madison, Chris Bucknam, Chris Hill, Chris Miltenberg, Clara Grandt, Clarence Smith, Clemson University, Clive Terrelonge, Colorado, Corey Thorne, Cornell, Dan Steele, Danette Doetzel, Dennis Mitchell, Derek Drouin, Destinee Hooker, Dick Booth, Dimitrios Fylladitakis, Dion Miller, Don Babbit, Dorotea Habazin, Eastern Kentucky University, Emilee Strot, Erik Jenkins, Florida State University, Francena McCorory, Galen Rupp, Gary Pepin, Gavin Smellie, Gayle Hunter, Georgetown University, German Fernandez, Gil Roberts, Great Lakes Region, Hammer throw, Hampton, Harvard University, Indiana University, James Henry, Janet Jesang, Jason Colwick, Jason Vigilante, Jenny Barringer, Jere' Summers, Jim Bevan, Joe Compagni, Joseph Maina, Kansas State University, Kara Patterson, Karen Harvey, Kim Williams, Kristin Smith, Kyle Heath, LSU, Liberty, Liz Roehrig, Marc Burns, Mark MacDonald, Mark Robison, Michael Holloway, Michelle Eisenreich, Mid-Atlantic Region, Midwest Region, Minnesota, Mississippi State University, Monmouth University, Mountain Region, Murielle Ahoure, Nathan Taylor, Nebraska University, Nico Weiler, Northeast Region, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma University, Penn State University, Porscha Lucas, Providence, Purdue University, Rashaud Scott, Rice University, Robert Johnson, Rodney Zuyderwyk, Ron Allice, Rondel Sorrillo, Sam Chelanga, Sarah Stevens, Scott Irving, Sean Brady, Sean Tully, Sheila Burrell, South Central Region, South Region, Southeast Region, Southeastern Louisiana, Stanford University, Syracuse University, Tahari James, Texas A&M, Texas Tech University, Tiffany Ofili, Tim Hall, Tone Belt, Tonja Buford Bailey, Track and field, Trindon Holliday, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Associ, UCLA, UTEP, University of Akron, University of Arizona, University of Arkansas, University of California, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Illinois, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of Miami, University of Michigan, University of Oregon, University of Southern California, University of Tennessee, University of Texas, University of Virginia, Villanova University, Vince Anderson, Virginia Tech, Washington, Washington State University, Wes Kittley, West Region, West Virginia University, Western Kentucky University, Wichita State University, Will Claye, discus, high jump, shot put, steeplechase | Permalink
Posted by Mark Maloney
June 2, 2009
Seven women and six men from Kentucky colleges were awarded at-large bids Tuesday to the NCAA Track & Field Championships, June 10-13, at Arkansas.
Joseph Maina (EKU photo)
From Eastern Kentucky, Joseph Maina was added to the men’s 5,000-meter field.
From Kentucky, Rondel Sorrillo made it in the men’s 100, Emily Strot in the women’s discus.
From Louisville, Steve Hnat was added in the men’s shot put; Josh Greenwald and Andrew Hackney in discus; Matt Hughes in the steeplechase. U of L additions to the women’s field are Chinwe Okoro and Khadija Abdullah in the shot put, Rachel Gehret in the high jump and Seidre Forde in the triple jump.
From Western Kentucky’s women’s team, Miaie Williams was added in the 100, Janet Jesang in the 5,000.
The at-large recipients will join automatic qualifiers at Arkansas. Automatic berths went to the top five in individual events and top three in relays at the Mideast Regional, held Saturday at U of L.
Here’s what the combined at-large and automatic lists from Kentucky schools look like, with NCAA seeding; a = at-large berth; q = automatic qualifier.
MEN
Rondel Sorrillo
Gavin Smellie
100 meters — 24 a, Rondel Sorrillo (UK).
200 — 3 q, Gavin Smellie (WKU); 5 q, Rondel Sorrillo (UK).
5,000 — 26 a, Joseph Maina (EKU).
3,000 steeplechase — 2 q, Cory Thorne (U of L); 14 a, Matt Hughes (U of L).
4-by-100 relay — 6 q, Kentucky.
4-by-400 relay — 11 q, Western Kentucky; 12 q, Kentucky.
Shot put — 8 q, Rashaud Scott (UK); 17 a, Steve Hnat (U of L).
Rashaud Scott
Chase Madison
Discus — 1 q, Rashaud Scott (UK); 7 q, Chase Madison (UK); 16 a, Josh Greenwald (U of L); 17 a, Andrew Hackney (U of L).
Long jump — 7 a, Mandhla Mgijima (WKU).
High jump — 9 q, Tone Belt (U of L).
Long jump — 16 q, Tone Belt (U of L).
WOMEN
Tarah McKay
Janet Jesang
100 — 19 a, Miaie Williams (WKU).
1,500 — 24 q, Tarah McKay (U of L).
5,000 — 6 a, Janet Jesang (WKU).
4-by-100 relay — 12 q, Western Kentucky.
Shot put — 10 q, Jere’ Summers (U of L); 20 a, Chinwe Okoro (U of L); 23 a, Khadija Abdullah (U of L).
Kristin Smith
Ashley Trimble
Discus — 4 q, Ashley Muffet (UK); 6 q, Jere’ Summers (U of L); 17 a, Emilee Strot (UK).
Hammer throw — 7 q, Kristin Smith (UK).
High jump — 19 a, Rachel Gehret (U of L).
Triple jump — 24 a, Seidre Forde (U of L).
Heptathlon (entries based on pre-regional results) — 11. Ashley Trimble (UK).
USA Track & Field Athlete of the Week: Tyson Gay
The third-fastest 200-meter dash of all time makes Tyson Gay the USA Track & Field choice for athlete of the week.
From Tyson Gay's facebook photo gallery
Gay, a Lafayette High School graduate who later starred for Arkansas, uncorked a 19.58-second 200 Saturday at the Reebok Grand Prix, in New York’s Icahn Stadium. Only a pair of Olympic champions have ever run faster: Michael Johnson (19.32) and Usain Bolt (19.30).
Gay swept the 2007 World Championships in the 100 and 200 meters, and also ran on the gold-medal 4-by-100 relay.
After winning the 100 in American-record time at last year’s U.S. Olympic Trials, Gay suffered a severe hamstring injury during preliminaries of the 200. He went on to run the 200 at the Beijing Olympics, but the missed practice time left him far off his usual form. A dropped baton in the 4-by-100 put a disappointing end to his Olympic experience.
Saturday’s result, his first 200 since the Olympics, means Gay now has the third- and fourth-fastest 200s ever. No. 4 is 19.62, his winning effort at the 2007 USA Outdoor Championships.
Saturday’s runner-up, Gay’s former training partner and Arkansas teammate Wallace Spearmon, finished in 19.98. Former LSU standout Xavier Carter was third in 20.27.
“It made me very, very happy; 19.5 had been one of the goals I had, but to do that in the first race is very pleasing,” Gay told reporters. “I wanted to work on my reaction and my start. Then I just ran. I ran for my life. When I came toward the finish line, I got kind of tight and I just wanted to bring it on in. I tried to push all the way through, just to see where my body is at.”
Several of the week’s leading national marks were turned in on Louisville’s Cardinal Park facility, site of the NCAA Mideast Regional.
Cory Thorne
Louisville’s Cory Thorne had the fastest 3,000-meter steeplechase of the week (8:36.98).
Three winners in men’s field events ranked No. 1 for the week: Kentucky’s Rashaud Scott in the discus (216-2); LSU’s Walter Henning in the hammer throw (231-6), and Arkansas’ Mychael Stewart in the long jump (25-10 3/4).
And two of the women’s field event champions at Louisville led the nation: Purdue’s Kara Patterson in the javelin (192-1), and Indiana State’s Lauren Martin in the triple jump (44-4 3/4).
BEST MARKS BY AMERICANS FOR WEEK ENDING MAY 31
MEN
100 - 10.04 Jacoby Ford (Clemson) - Greensboro, N.C. 5/30
200 - 19.58 Tyson Gay (adidas) - New York, 5/30 World leader
400 - 44.75 LaShawn Merritt (Nike) - New York, 5/30
800 - 1:46.00 Khadevis Robinson (Nike) - New York, 5/30
1500 - 3:34.14 Leo Manzano (Nike) - New York, 5/30 U.S. leader
3000SC - 8:36.98 Cory Thorne (Louisville) - Louisville, 5/30
5000 - 13:03.06 Bernard Lagat (Nike) - New York, 5/30 U.S. leader
110H - 13.12 Terrence Trammell (TSA) - New York, 5/30
400H - 48.52 Bershawn Jackson (Nike) - New York, 5/30
HJ - 2.25/7-4.5 Scott Sellers (Kansas State) - Norman, Okla., 5/29
PV - 5.56/18-3 Jason Colwick (Rice) & Maston Wallace (Texas) - Norman, Okla., 5/30
LJ - 7.89/25-10.75 Mychael Stewart (Arkansas) - Louisville, 5/29
TJ - 16.81/55-2 Will Claye (Oklahoma) - Norman, Okla., 5/30
SP - 20.99/68-10.5 Ryan Whiting (Arizona State) - Eugene, Ore., 5/29
DT - 65.90/216-2 Rashaud Scott (Kentucky) - Louisville, 5/30
HT - 70.56/231-6 Walter Henning (LSU) - Louisville, 5/30
JT - 80.34/263-7 Chris Hill (Georgia) - Greensboro, N.C., 5/29
Dec - 8516 Trey Hardee (Nike) - Gotzis, Austria, 5/31 U.S. leader
WOMEN
100 - 11.04 Shalonda Solomon (Reebok) - New York, 5/30
200 - 22.34 Lauryn Williams (Nike) - New York, 5/30 World leader
400 - 50.50 Allyson Felix (adidas) - New York, 5/30 World leader
800 - 1:59.29 Anna Willard (Nike) - New York, 5/30 World leader
1500 - 4:03.96 Christin Wurth-Thomas (Nike) - New York, 5/30 U.S. leader
3000SC - 9:26.20 Jenny Barringer (Colorado) - Norman, Okla., 5/30 World leader
5000 - 15:32.39 Jen Rhines (adidas) - New York, 5/30
100H - 12.88 Seun Adigun (Houston) - Norman, Okla., 5/30
400H - 55.44 Tiffany Williams (Reebok) - New York, 5/30
HJ - 1.93/6-4 Sharon Day (Asics) - Havana, Cuba, 5/29
PV - 4.81/15-9.25 Jenn Stuczynski (adidas) - New York, 5/30 World leader
LJ - 6.72/22-0.75 Funmi Jimoh (Nike) - Belgrade, Serbia, 5/29 & Brianna Glenn (adidas) - New York, 5/30
TJ - 13.53/44-4.75 Lauren Martin (Indiana State) - Louisville, 5/30
SP - 18.43/60-5.75 Michelle Carter (unat) - New York, 5/30
DT - 63.97/209-10 Stephanie Brown Trafton (Nike) - New York, 5/30
HT - 69.76/228-10 Amber Campbell (Mjolnir) - Havana, Cuba, 5/30
JT - 58.56/192-1 Kara Patterson (Purdue) - Louisville, 5/30
Hept - 6,063 Sharon Day (Asics) - Havana, Cuba 5/30 U.S. leader
3 Comments | 100 meters, 100-meter hurdles, 110-meter hurdles, 200 meters, 4-by-100 relay, 4-by-400 relay, 400 meters, 400-meter hurdles, 800 meters, Allyson Felix, Amber Campbell, Andrew Hackney, Anna Willard, Arizona State University, Arkansas, Ashley Muffet, Ashley Trimble, Asics, Beijing Olympics, Bernard Lagat, Bershawn Jackson, Brianna Glenn, Cardinal Park, Chase Madison, Chinwe Okoro, Chris Hill, Christin Wurth-Thomas, Clemson, Colorado, Corey Thorne, Cory Thorne, Decathlon, Eastern Kentucky University, Emilee Strot, Emily Strot, Funmi Jimoh, Gavin Smellie, Hammer throw, Houston, Icahn Stadium, Indiana State University, Jacoby Ford, Janet Jesang, Jason Colwick, Javelin, Jen Rhines, Jenn Stuczynski, Jenny Barringer, Jere' Summers, Joseph Maina, Josh Greenwald, Kansas State, Kara Patterson, Khadevis Robinson, Khadija Abdullah, Kristin Smith, LSU, LaShawn Merritt, Lafayette High School, Lauren Martin, Lauryn Williams, Leo Manzano, Maston Wallace, Matt Hughes, Miaie Williams, Michael Johnson, Michelle Carter, Mideast Regional, Mychael Stewart, NCAA Track and Field Championships, Nike, Oklahoma University, Olympics, Purdue University, Rachel Gehret, Rashaud Scott, Reebok, Reebok Grand Prix, Rice, Rondel Sorrillo, Ryan Whiting, Scott Sellers, Seidre Forde, Seun Adigun, Shalonda Solomon, Sharon Day, Stephanie Brown Trafton, Steve Hnat, TSA, Tarah McKay, Terrence Trammell, Texas, Tiffany Williams, Tone Belt, Trey Hardee, Triple jump, Tyson Gay, U.S. Olympic Trials, U.S. leader, USA Outdoor Championships, USA Track & Field, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Usain Bolt, Wallace Spearmon, Walter Henning, Western Kentucky University, Will Claye, World Championships, World leader, Xavier Carter, adidas, discus, heptathlon, high jump, long jump, pole vault, shot put | Permalink
Posted by Mark Maloney
May 31, 2009
… And a clarification
First, the clarification.
In the meet story that I wrote about Saturday’s Mideast Regional, I noted that Rashaud Scott’s winning discus throw of 216 feet, 2 inches broke the University of Kentucky record of 214-5, set by two-time Olympian Mike Buncic in 1986. My source: UK’s media guide.
However, a later check of UK’s meet notes, as well as the media guide listings of “top 10 marks” in each event, showed that Buncic threw 217-4.
Having actually written the story about Buncic’s record, I checked my personal files to find that … Buncic’s distance was 217-11, set in a UK all-comers meet on Aug. 14, 1985. His UK eligibility had ended two months earlier, but marks registered in the same season (summer) that an athlete’s eligibility expires are considered “collegiate” performances. The 217-11 broke Buncic’s previous best of 214-5, set in July 1985 at the National Sports Festival. And that surpassed Buncic’s best-ever throw in a college-only competition, 212-5.
So Sunday I asked Don Weber, UK’s coach then and now, which mark he considered to be Buncic’s school record. If the answer was 217-11, Scott would not have the UK record.
Weber’s answer: 214-5.
Here’s why.
The National Sports Festival (later called the U.S. Olympic Festival and now defunct) was a legitimate national competition with certified officials and procedures, and Buncic was technically still a collegian.
The 217-11 came in a backyard meet that welcomed everyone from toddlers to senior citizens, with an entry fee of 50 cents per event. And the distance was questionable.
Weber recalls that when he was called to the discus sector, Buncic’s throw had not been marked properly.
So now you know — Scott actually did break Buncic’s UK record of 214-5, set in 1985.
And now …
You’ve got to love how the Kentucky men stepped up to take third place in the team standings. The top five in individual events, as well as the top three relays, automatically qualify for the NCAA Championships, June 10-13, at Arkansas.
The 20th-ranked Wildcats have been snake-bitten with injuries for most of the outdoor season, particularly in the sprints.
But there was Rondel Sorrillo, who didn’t even compete outdoors until the Southeastern Conference meet because of injuries, taking third place in the 200 meters and anchoring the second-place 4-by-100-meter relay.
Rondel Sorrillo
“Better than SEC, but it still hurts,” said Sorrillo, who ran the 200 for Trinidad and Tobago at last summer’s Beijing Olympics — beating eventual gold-medal winner Usain Bolt in the first round. “It hurts, but I’m back.”
What hurts?
“My butt, my hamstrings, my calves,” he said. “Both legs.”
Jose Acevedo
There was Jose Acevedo, who also ran the 200 at Beijing, representing Venezuela.
He ran second on the 4-by-100 relay, then anchored the third-place 4-by-400 relay. That despite a foot injury that, Coach Don Weber said, would have kept a less-determined sprinter out of the meet.
When Justin Austin went down at the Penn Relays, the Cats had to plug holes on both relays.
Also missing was Mikel Thomas, a 2008 Olympian for Trinidad and Tobago in the 110-meter hurdles. He suffered a broken collarbone during practice, a week-and-a-half ago.
Kwasi Obeng
Stephan Smith
Saturday, Kwasi Obeng did the job on the relays, running the third leg on the quick relay and leading off the 4-by-4.
Stephan Smith, a half-miler, filled in on the second leg of the 4-by-4.
“Considering the way we’ve been for most of the outdoor season, especially in our sprint group — hurt and banged up as much as we have been — it’s a great day,” Weber said. “Especially for those guys.”
Now, being off next weekend, the Cats will try to “maintain” fitness and continue the healing process.
Erin Tucker
Don Weber
“We can get a little bit better,” Weber said, “so that’s encouraging.”
In the 4-by-100, UK led through three legs. Obeng’s handoff to Sorrillo didn’t go too well, though, allowing 100-meter champion Trindon Holliday of LSU to be first out of the final exchange zone.
“Trindon … had the baton first because (Sorrillo) had to wait on Kwasi to get the baton,” said Erin Tucker, UK’s sprints and hurdles coach. “Anytime, the four-by-one, when you have to wait a little bit, you lose that acceleration and then you’ve got to start back up from square one. … You want to get the baton going full speed.”
The good news is that the problem was due in part to Sorrillo accelerating, finally, through the zone. By his own admission, Sorrillo had been deficient in that area during practice. And now Obeng and Sorrillo have nearly two weeks to work on the final exchange.
Gordon McKenzie
Tucker said Gordon McKenzie “ran an awesome leadoff leg. … Jose built off it. … Kwasi just looked like a superstar because he’s out in front. And then we had the little thing with Rondel.”
As good as the sprint results were, UK came out best in the weights.
Rashaud Scott, who won the shot put on Friday, added the discus title Saturday. Having successfully defended his regional title, Scott will try to repeat as national champion at Arkansas.
And consider this: all six of his throws Saturday were better than second-place finisher Greg Pilling of Central Michigan.
Pilling threw 197-2, two feet ahead of UK’s Chase Madison.
Rashaud Scott
Scott’s incredible series:198-7, 203-7, 203-5, 206-11 1/2, 212-9 1/2 and 216-2. That final throw is now the regional and Cardinal Stadium record. Scott said he thinks he has “another meter or two” in him this season.
Madison, a senior who transferred in 2007 from Iowa State, can relate to UK’s sprinters.
At Iowa State, he broke a bone in his left foot. A titanium screw was inserted to fix the bone. It didn’t work.
Chase Madison
When he arrived at UK for his entrance physical, “they said, ‘well, you’re either going to have to have another surgery on that thing to fix it because they did it totally incorrect, or you’re never going to throw again,’” Madison said when interviewed before last winter’s SEC Indoor Championships.
He opted for surgery, which involved taking bone from his ankle and grafting the bone to his foot. Oh, and four screws and a plate.
He went from June 2006 until April 2008 without throwing a disc in competition.
Now, he throws in pain. Look at his foot and you can actually see the plate and a screw sticking out from the bone. Pain limits his practice time, but he’s a believer in quality workouts over quantity. When he does throw, he throws with purpose.
Saturday, he said his pain was controlled as well as could be expected: “I had quite a bit of Aleve in me.”
“It’s nice to be back to a national meet. I haven’t been since 2006, since I’ve been hurt,” he said. “It was a decent day, I guess. Could have expected a lot more, could have been a lot worse. So, regroup and get ready for two weeks.”
U of L: A crown of Thorne’s
Corey Thorne
Louisville’s highlight Saturday came from Corey Thorne, who outkicked Eastern Michigan’s Josh Karanja to win the 3,000-meter steeplechase in a stadium-record 8:36.98. Karanja finished in 8:37.20.
“It’s going to be just like that at nationals,” Thorne said. “Whether it goes fast or slow, it’s going to come down to who has the best kick. So coming out here, it’s kind of like a trial.”
Ron Mann
Head coach Ron Mann and distance coach Brice Allen prepared Thorne well.
“One of the things that Coach Allen and I have done over the last 10 days is doing a lot of speed work over the barriers, preparing for that last quarter,” Mann said. “Those barriers come up very quickly and you’ve got to be ready for it. He did a nice job of executing that.”
Tarah McKay
Jere' Summers
U of L also had two automatic qualifiers in women’s events.
Tarah McKay ran fourth at 1,500 meters. Jeré Summers, the surprise winner of Friday’s discus, took second in Saturday’s shot put.
McKay, a junior from St. Clements, Ontario, Canada, improved one spot from her regional finish of a year ago.
Summers, a junior from Oakland, Calif., is a two-time Most Outstanding Field Event Performer in the Big East. She transferred to U of L after competing two indoor seasons and one outdoor season at Cal State Northridge.
WKU: Smellie is good
Gavin Smellie
Western Kentucky senior Gavin Smellie won the men’s 200 meters, tying the Cardinal Park record of 20.45 seconds. (Auburn freshman Marcus Rowland was runner-up, followed by Sorrillo. Earlier, Rowland false-started out of the 100 meters, an event in which he was ranked No. 2 in the region and No. 4 in the nation.)
Smellie, a Canadian, also led off the Hilltoppers’ second-place 4-by-400 relay and anchored the eighth-place 4-by-100 relay. The first seven spots in the quick relay went to Southeastern Conference schools, led by LSU and Kentucky.
Western’s women placed third in the 4-by-100 relay.
EKU: I go, you go, we all go for Mugo
Stanley Mugo
Eastern Kent
ucky’s top finish of the day came from Stanley Mugo in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
A junior from Kenya and the Ohio Valley Conference’s Co-Male Track Athlete of the Year, Mugo placed 10th.
By placing among the top 12 in the region, he still has a chance of receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships (bids to be announced Tuesday). His time Saturday was 9:00.89. However, he ran 8:52.07 in April at the Penn Relays.
Regions and records
The Mideast, one of four regionals, is comprised of 167 teams from 12 states (Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin).
Cardinal Park records were set in 22 of Saturday’s 28 events. Two others were tied, and another was negated because it was wind-aided.
UK’s Scott was among five athletes setting regional records, and the only male.
Phoebe Wright
Women’s meet records went to:
* U.S. Olympic Trials champion Kara Patterson of Purdue, who won javelin for the fourth year in a row, this time at 192-1.
* Two-time defending NCAA champ Tiffany Ofili of Michigan, 12.96 in the 100-meter hurdles.
* Tennessee former walk-on and now top-ranked Phoebe Wright, 2:02.20 in the 800.
* Middle Tennessee State’s Sarah Nambawa, ranked second nationally, with a triple jump of 45-9.
1 Comment | 100-meter hurdles, 4-by-100-meter relay, 4-by-400-meter relay, 800 meters, Auburn University, Beijing Olympics, Big East, Brice Allen, Cal State Northridge, Canada, Cardinal Park, Central Michigan University, Chase Madison, Corey Thorne, Don Weber, Eastern Kentucky University, Eastern Michigan University, Erin Tucker, Gavin Smellie, Gordon McKenzie, Greg Pilling, Iowa State University, Javelin, Jere' Summers, Jose Acevedo, Josh Karanja, Justin Austin, Kara Patterson, Kenya, Kwasi Obeng, LSU, Marcus Rowland, Middle Tennessee State University, Mike Buncic, Mikel Thomas, NCAA Championships, NCAA Mideast Regional, National Sports Festival, Ohio Valley Conference, Penn Relays, Phoebe Wright, Purdue University, Rashaud Scott, Ron Mann, Rondel Sorrillo, Sarah Nambawa, Southeastern Conference, Stanley Mugo, Stephan Smith, Tarah McKay, Tiffany Ofili, Track and field, Trindon Holliday, Trinidad and Tobago, Triple jump, U.S. Olympic Festival, U.S. Olympic Trials, University of Arkansas, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of Michigan, University of Tennessee, Usain Bolt, Venezuela, Western Kentucky University, discus, shot put | Permalink
Posted by Mark Maloney
May 13, 2009
Rashaud Scott
Kentucky’s Rashaud Scott remains the No. 1 discus performer, but the Wildcats team dropped from 21st to No. 25 in the released U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association men’s poll that was released Wednesday.
Cross-state rival Louisville, led by second-ranked steeplechaser Corey Thorne, also fell, from No. 25 to 27.
Oregon reclaimed the No. 1 team ranking, dropping Florida to No. 2.
Florida and Kentucky are among seven Southeastern Conference teams ranked in the top 25. The SEC Championships open Thursday and last through Sunday at Florida.
Texas A&M is No. 1 in the women’s poll. Kentucky is 37th, Louisville 42nd. LSU is the top-rated SEC team, No. 4.
MEN
Team Conference Points
1. Oregon (Pac-10) 278.52
2. Florida (SEC) 265.86
3. Florida State (ACC) 265.23
4. Texas A&M (Big 12) 236.25
5. Nebraska (Big 12) 205.59
6. Arizona State (Pac-10) 187.09
7. South Carolina (SEC) 172.25
8. Arkansas (SEC) 169.58
9. Texas (Big 12) 162.35
10. Stanford (Pac-10) 162.10
11. Baylor (Big 12) 159.03
12. LSU (SEC) 158.29
13. Auburn (SEC) 149.12
14. Washington (Pac-10) 137.66
15. Texas Tech (Big 12) 120.31
16. Souther Cal (Pac-10) 119.30
17. California (Pac-10) 114.77
18. Minnesota (Big Ten) 111.72
19. Brigham Young (Mountain West) 94.94
20. Georgia (SEC) 93.64
21. Washington State (Pac-10) 91.25
22. Virginia Tech (ACC) 91.17
23. Liberty (Big South) 91.11
24. Missouri (Big 12) 90.43
25. KENTUCKY (SEC) 90.27
Other Kentucky and SEC teams — 27. Louisville (Big East), 79.85; 34. Tennessee, 68.73; 37. Western Kentucky (Sun Belt) 62.39; 43. Alabama, 54.34; 46. Mississippi State, 50.94; 71, Mississippi, 25.68; 146. Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley) 1.88.
WOMEN
1. Texas A&M (Big 12) 302.56
2. Oregon (Pac-10) 256.51
3. Florida State (ACC) 242.82
4. LSU (SEC) 220.09
5. Southern Cal (Pac-10) 212.44
6. Texas (Big 12) 192.53
7. Arizona State (Pac-10) 170.80
8. Baylor (Big 12) 169.52
9. Virginia Tech (ACC) 154.60
10. Brigham Young (Mountain West) 153.40
11. Michigan (Big Ten) 150.96
12. Tennessee (SEC) 148.34
13. UCLA (Pac-10) 146.00
14. Auburn (SEC) 126.52
15. Stanford (Pac-10) 119.98
16. Miami, Fla. (ACC) 112.82
17. Washington (Pac-10) 111.96
18. Nebraska (Big 12) 111.93
19. Oklahoma (Big 12) 111.81
20. Penn State (Big Ten) 110.29
21. Minnesota (Big Ten) 95.52
22. Arkansas (SEC) 92.82
23. Texas Tech (Big 12) 89.26
24. SMU (Conference USA) 88.60
25. Indiana (Big Ten) 86.12
Other Kentucky and SEC teams — 29. Florida, 71.01; 37. Kentucky, 59.25; 39. Mississippi, 55.93; 42. Louisville (Big East), 52.88; 53. South Carolina, 42.53; 60. Alabama, 37.76; 72. Georgia, 25.96; 73. Western Kentucky (Sun Belt), 24.58; 83. Mississippi State, 17.06.
Event-by-event leaders (plus Kentuckians in top 20)
MEN
Gavin Smellie
100 — Jacoby Ford (Clemson) 10.11; 13. Gavin Smellie (WKU) 10.29.
200 — Trey Harts (Baylor) 20.29; 6. Gavin Smellie (WKU) 20.58.
400 — Gil Roberts (Texas Tech) 45.27.
800 — Tevan Everett (Texas) 1:47.39.
1,500 — Matt Centrowitz (Oregon) 3:36.92.
5,000 — Brandon Bethke (Arizona State) 13:27.74.
10,000 — Sam Chelanga (Liberty) 27:28.48.
110 hurdles — Oma Osaghae (Texas Tech) 13.42.
400 hurdles — Jeshua Anderson (Washington State) 49.44.
Corey Thorne
3,000 steeplechase — Jake Morse (Texas) 8:34.57; 2. Corey Thorne (U of L) 8:39.19; 12. Matt Hughes (U of L) 8:47.36.
4-x-100 relay — Florida State 38.75; 17. WKU 39.93.
4-x-400 relay — Florida State 3:01.54; 8. UK 3:05.77.
High jump — (Tie) Trent Arrivey (Washington State) and Matt Fisher (Minnesota) 7-4 1/2; 13. Tone Belt (U of L) 7-1.
Pole vault — Jason Colwick (Rice) 18-9 1/4.
Long jump — Brian Chibudu (Florida State) 26-5; 4. Mandhla Mgijima (WKU) 25-11; 6. Rudon Bastian (U of L) 25-8.
Triple jump — Will Claye (Oklahoma) 55-3/4.
Shot put — Ryan Whiting (Arizona State) 66-11 1/2; 15. Steve Hnat (U of L) 60-6 1/2; 16. Rashaud Scott (UK) 60-3 3/4; 20. Chase Madison (UK) 59-11 1/4.
Discus — Rashaud Scott (UK) 212-9; 6. Chase Madison (UK) 196-7.
Hammer throw — Chris Rohr (Missouri) 235-11.
Javelin — Cyrus Hostetler (Oregon) 272-10.
Decathlon — Ashton Eaton (Oregon) 8,091.
WOMEN
100 — Alexandria Anderson (Texas) 11.09.
200 — Tiffany Townsend (Baylor) 22.63; 20. Miaie Williams (WKU) 23.43.
400 — Jessica Beard (Texas A&M) 51.52.
800 — Molly Beckwith (Indiana) 2:02.51.
1,500 — Jenny Barringer (Colorado) 4:08.38.
Janet Jesang
5,000 — Jenny Barringer (Colorado) 15:07.64; 10. Janet Jesang (WKU) 15:52.22.
10,000 — Lisa Koll (Iowa State) 32:43.85; 20. Janet Jesang (WKU) 34:08.18.
100 hurdles — Tiffany Ofili (Michigan) 12.82.
400 hurdles — Eric Cray (Bethune-Cookman) 51.80.
3,000 steeplechase — Nicole Bush (Michigan State) 9:39.38.
4-x-100 relay — Texas A&M 42.91.
4-x-400 relay — LSU 3:31.81; 20. WKU 3:37.43.
High jump — Destinee Hooker (Texas) 6-3 1/2; 11. Rachel Gehret (U of L) 5-11 1/4.
Pole vault — Natalie Willer (Nebraska) 14-4 1/2.
Long jump — Blessing Okagbare (UTEP) 22-6 1/4.
Triple jump — Kim Williams (Florida State) 44-9 3/4; 10. Seidre Forde (U of L) 42-11 3/4.
Ashley Muffet
Ashley Trimble
Shot put — Mariam Kevkhishvili (Florida) 59-2 1/4; 12. Ashley Muffet (UK) 53-4 1/2; 20. Khadija Abdullah (U of L) 52-2.
Discus — Annie Alexander (Tennessee) 188-9; 3. Ashley Muffet (UK) 187-8; 13. Jere’ Summers (U of L) 173-8; 17. Emilee Strot (UK) 171-2.
Hammer throw — Eva Orban (Southern Cal) 226-10; 11. Jere’ Summers (U of L) 199-10; 13. Kristin Smith (UK) 199-2.
Javelin — Kara Patterson (Purdue) 191-7.
Heptathlon — Brianne Theisen (Oregon) 5,986; 20. Ashley Trimble (UK) 5,438.
No Comments » | Alexandria Anderson, Annie Alexander, Arizona State University, Ashley Muffet, Ashley Trimble, Ashton Eaton, Atlantic Coast Conference, Auburn University, Baylor University, Bethune-Cookman, Big 12 Conference, Big South Conference, Blessing Okagbare, Brandon Bethke, Brian Chibudu, Brianne Theisen, Brigham Young University, Chase Madison, Chris Rohr, Clemson University, Colorado, Corey Thorne, Cyrus Hostetler, Decathlon, Destinee Hooker, Eastern Kentucky University, Emilee Strot, Eric Cray, Eva Orban, Florida State University, Gavin Smellie, Gil Roberts, Hammer throw, Indiana University, Iowa State University, Jacoby Ford, Jake Morse, Janet Jesang, Jason Colwick, Javelin, Jenny Barringer, Jere' Summers, Jeshua Anderson, Jessica Beard, Kara Patterson, Khadija Abdullah, Kristin Smith, LSU, Liberty, Lisa Koll, Mandhla Mgijima, Mariam Kevkhishvili, Matt Centrowitz, Matt Fisher, Matt Hughes, Miaie Williams, Michigan State University, Mississippi State University, Missouri, Molly Beckwith, Mountain West Conference, Natalie Willer, Nebraska, Nicole Bush, Ohio Valley Conference, Oklahoma University, Ole Miss, Oma Osaghae, Oregon, Pacific-10 Conference, Penn State University, Purdue University, Rachel Gehret, Rashaud Scott, Rice University, Rudon Bastian, Ryan Whiting, Sam Chelanga, Seidre Forde, Southeastern Conference, Southern Methodist University, Stanford University, Steve Hnat, Tevan Everett, Texas A&M, Texas Tech University, Tiffany Ofili, Tiffany Townsend, Tone Belt, Track and field, Trent Arrivey, Trey Harts, Triple jump, U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Associ, UCLA, UTEP, University of Alabama, University of Arkansas, University of California, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of Miami (Fla.), University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, University of South Carolina, University of Southern California, University of Tennessee, University of Texas, Virginia Tech, Washington, Washington State University, Western Kentucky University, Will Claye, dash, discus, high jump, hurdles, long jump, pole vault, relay, run, shot put, steeplechase | Permalink
Posted by Mark Maloney
May 6, 2009
Thanks to Jonathan Grooms, Carlisle County coach, for providing this week’s KYtrackXC.com rankings of state high school track and field teams.
Class AAA Boys - Team Rankings
===============================================================================
1) Male 76.5; 2) St. Xavier 66; 3) Louisville Ballard 39; 4) North Hardin 36; 5) Henry Clay 34; 6) Oldham County 33; 7) Daviess County 31.5; 8 ) Christian County 30.3; 9) John Hardin 29; 10) Owensboro 28.
Class AAA Girls - Team Rankings
===============================================================================
1) Owensboro 75; 2) Butler 56; 3) Louisville Ballard 51.5; 4) Fern Creek 45; 5) Sacred Heart 43; 6) Paul Dunbar 40; 7) Eastern 33; 8 ) Campbell County 32; 9) Male 31; 10) duPont Manual 29.
Class AA Girls - Team Rankings
===============================================================================
1) Central 73.5; 2) Lloyd Memorial 71; 3) Rockcastle County 56; 4) Trigg County 53.5; 5) Highlands 43.5; 6) (tie) South Oldham and Boyle County 37; 8 ) West Jessamine 34; 9) (tie) Casey County and Elizabethtown 26.
Class AA Boys - Team Rankings
===============================================================================
1) Central 76.5; 2) Paducah Tilghman 60; 3) Calloway County 44; 4) West Jessamine 43.5; 5) Covington Catholic 42; 6) Logan County 38; 7) Lone Oak 34; 8 ) Bullitt East 30; 9. Elizabethtown 22.1; 10) Hopkinsville 21.
Class A Boys - Team Rankings
===============================================================================
1) Bardstown 71; 2) Fort Campbell 65.5; 3) Villa Madonna 60; 4) Lexington Christian 41.5; 5) (tie) Danville, Paintsville and Mayfield 32; 8 ) Ballard Memorial 28; 9) Fort Knox 25; 10) Walton Verona 24.
Class A Girls - Team Rankings
===============================================================================
1) Newport Central Catholic 84; 2) Danville 71; 3) Fort Campbell 69; 4) Bishop Brossart 63; 5) Model 50; 6) (tie) Walton Verona and St. Henry 42; 8 ) Bardstown 20; 9) (tie) Beechwood and Villa Madonna 17.
National Collegiate rankings
Thanks also to Keith Nunez of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association rankings.
MEN
1. Florida 280.73
2. Oregon 279.31
3. Texas A&M 249.05
4. Arizona State 190.22
5. Arkansas 183.98
6. Nebraska 178.32
7. Texas 172.76
8. Baylor 171.76
9. LSU 170.87
10. South Carolina 168.44
11. Florida State 162.79
12. Auburn 159.97
13. Stanford 159.71
14. Southern California 151.87
15. Washington 122.25
16. California 117.51
17. Minnesota 113.19
18. Texas Tech 112.97
19. Washington State 101.16
20. Brigham Young 97.62
21. KENTUCKY 95.40
22. Liberty 94.03
23. Georgia 93.86
24. Virginia Tech 93.60
25. LOUISVILLE 88.54
Also: 144. Eastern Kentucky, 2.02; 157. Western Kentucky, 1.10.
WOMEN
1. Texas A&M 307.61
2. Florida State 246.69
3. LSU 227.56
4. Oregon 224.91
5. Southern California 203.17
6. Texas 196.35
7. Arizona State 172.93
8. Baylor 172.77
9. Michigan 163.39
10. Virginia Tech 156.84
11. Brigham Young 147.49
12. Tennessee 142.80
13. UCLA 138.10
14. Stanford 124.42
15. Washington 117.61
16. Miami (Fla.) 116.40
17. Nebraska 116.29
18. Auburn 105.73
19. Arkansas 104.17
20. Minnesota 101.21
21. Penn State 90.36
22. Texas-El Paso 87.92
23. Southern Methodist 85.65
24. Texas Christian 84.83
25. Texas Tech 80.33
Also: 33. Kentucky 63.63; 38. Louisville 60.32; 80. Western Kentucky 20.42.
Event rankings
Individuals and relays from Kentucky ranked 25th or better by the USTFCCCA, with season-best marks:
Corey Thorne
Rashaud Scott
MEN
100 meters — 21. Justin Austin (UK) 10.35.
200 — 25. Jose Acevedo (UK) 20.80.
Steeplechase — 2. Corey Thorne (U of L) 8:39.19; 12. Matt Hughes (U of L) 8:47.36; 24. Stanley Mugo (EKU) 8:52.07.
4-by-100 relay — 19. UK (A. Williams, B. Austin, J. Austin, J. Acevedo) 40.03.
4-by-400 relay — 8. UK (B. Austin, J. Austin, K. Obeng, J. Acevedo) 3:05.77.
High jump — 11. Tone Belt (U of L) 7-1.
Long jump — 4. Rudon Bastian (U of L) 25-8.
Shot put — 14. Steve Hnat (U of L) 60-6 1/2; 15. Rashaud Scott (UK) 60-3 3/4; 20. Chase Madison (UK) 59-11 1/4.
Discus — 1. Rashaud Scott (UK) 212-9; 6. Chase Madison (UK) 196-7.
Janet Jesang
Ashley Muffet
WOMEN
5,000 — 10. Janet Jesang (WKU)15:52.22.
10,000 — 20. Janet Jesang (WKU)34:08.18.
4-by-400 relay — 20. WKU (M. Williams, S. Smith, K. Morrison, A. Brown) 3:37.43.
High jump — 10. Rachel Gehret (U of L) 5-11 1/4.
Long jump — 23. Rachel Gehret (U of L) 20-5 1/4.
Triple jump — 10. Seidre Forde (U of L) 42-11 3/4.
Shot put — 11. Ashley Muffet(UK) 53-4 1/2; 20. Khadija Abdullah (U of L) 52-2; 23. Jere’ Summers (U of L) 51-11 1/4.
Discus — 3. Ashley Muffet (UK) 187-8; 10. Jere’ Summers (U of L) 173-8; 16. Emilee Strot (UK) 171-2.
Hammer throw — 11. Jere’ Summers (U of L) 199-10; 13. Kristin Smith (UK) 199-2.
Heptathlon — 18. Ashley Trimble (UK) 5,438; 21. Danielle Sampley (UK) 5,477 (pre-season mark).
5 Comments | Arizona State University, Ashley Muffet, Ashley Trimble, Auburn University, Ballard, Ballard Memorial, Bardstown, Baylor University, Beechwood, Bishop Brossart, Boyle County, Brigham Young University, Bullitt East, Butler, California, Calloway County, Campbell County, Casey County, Central, Chase Madison, Christian County, Corey Thorne, Covington Catholic, Danielle Sampley, Danville, Daviess County, Eastern, Eastern Kentucky University, Elizabethtown, Emilee Strot, Fern Creek, Florida State University, Fort Campbell, Fort Knox, Henry Clay, Highlands, Hopkinsville, Janet Jesang, Jere' Summers, John Hardin, Jonathan Grooms, Jose Acevedo, Justin Austin, KYtrackXC.com, Keith Nunez, Khadija Abdullah, Kristin Smith, LSU, Lexington Christian, Liberty, Lloyd Memorial, Logan County, Lone Oak, Male, Matt Hughes, Mayfield, Model, Nebraska, Newport Central Catholic, North Hardin, Oldham County, Oregon, Owensboro, Paducah Tilghman, Paintsville, Paul Dunbar, Penn State University, Rachel Gehret, Rashaud Scott, Rockcastle County, Rudon Bastian, Sacred Heart Academy, Seidre Forde, South Oldham, Southern Methodist University, St. Henry, St. Xavier, Stanford University, Stanley Mugo, Steve Hnat, Texas A&M, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, Tone Belt, Track and field, Trigg County, U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Associ, UCLA, UTEP, Universit of South Carolina, University of Arkansas, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of Miami (Fla.), University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, University of Southern California, University of Tennessee, University of Texas, Villa Madonna, Virginia Tech, Walton Verona, Washington, Washington State University, West Jessamine, Western Kentucky University, duPont Manual | Permalink
Posted by Mark Maloney
April 3, 2009
The first weekend of April means that the outdoor track and field season has burst from the starting blocks.
And there are plenty of Kentucky connections on the pre-season rankings compiled by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Kentucky is No. 6 in the men’s team rankings, 41st on the women’s side. Louisville is No. 24 in both men’s and women’s rankings. (See chart at the end of this post.)
UK is at the Florida Relays this weekend. U of L has split squads between the Texas Relays and Purdue.
Here’s a look at top 20-ranked individuals from the commonwealth.
MEN
Jose Acevedo
100 meters –
tie 11. Gordon McKenzie (UK) 10.23 seconds.
200 – 9. Jose Acevedo (UK) 20.58; t16. Shannon Davis (Eastern Ky.) 20.68.
10,000 – 6. Michael Eaton (U of L) 28:41.96.
110 hurdles – 3. Mikel Thomas (UK) 13.57.
4-x-100 relay – 17. Kentucky 39.69.
4-x-400 relay – 3. Kentucky 3:02.00; 18. Western Ky. 3:05.93.
Andre Black
Long jump –
t 9. Rudon Bastian (U of L) 25-10; 11. Andre Black (U of L) 25-9 1/2.
Triple jump – 1. Andre Black (U of L) 54-7 1/2.
Shot put – 5. Rashaud Scott (UK) 62-1 1/4.
Discus – 3. Chase Madison (UK) 202-9; 6. Rashaud Scott (UK) 199-10; 20. Josh Greenwald (U of L) 182-4.
WOMEN
Ashley Trimble
100 hurdles –
t 15. Ashley Trimble (UK) 13.40.
4-x-400 relay – 19. Western Kentucky, 3:35.37.
High jump – t 8. Rachel Gehret (U of L) 5-11 1/4; t 19. Victoria Dunlap (UK) 5-10.
Triple jump – 12. Seidre Forde (U of L) 43-9 3/4.
Shot put – 6. Jere’ Summers (U of L) 55-5 1/2; t 16. Ashley Muffet (UK) 52-6.
Discus – t 2. Jere’ Summers (U of L) 189-3; 12. Emilee Strot (UK) 174-7; 17. Ashley Muffet (UK) 170-0.
Hammer throw – 9. Jere’ Summers (U of L) 200-6.
Heptathlon – 16. Danielle Sampley (UK) 5,377; 19. Ashley Trimble (UK) 5,295.
2009 Outdoor, Pre-season
USTFCCCA NCAA Division I Team Rankings
MEN
1. Texas A&M; 2. Arkansas; 3. Oregon; 4. Florida State; 5. LSU; 6. KENTUCKY; 7. Texas; 8. Florida; 9. Tennessee; 10. Baylor.
11. Nebraska; 12. Georgia; 13. UCLA; 14. South Carolina; 15. Washington; 16. Arizona State; 17. Washington State; 18. Northern Iowa; 19. Southern California; 20. Texas Tech.
21. California; 22. Boise State; 23. Purdue; 24. LOUISVILLE; 25. Brigham Young
Also: 92. WESTERN KENTUCKY; 111. EASTERN KENTUCKY.
WOMEN
1. Texas A&M; 2. Virginia Tech; 3. Oregon; 4. Tennessee; 5. Penn State; 6. LSU; 7. Southern California; 8. UCLA; 9. Arizona State; 10. Michigan.
11. Florida; 12. Minnesota; 13. Auburn; 14. Texas; 15. Oklahoma; 16. Miami (Fla.); 17. South Carolina; 18. Texas Tech; 19. Arkansas; 20. Baylor.
21. Texas Christian; 22. Arizona; 23. North Carolina; 24. LOUISVILLE; 25. Nebraska.
Also: 41. KENTUCKY; 108. WESTERN KENTUCKY; 182. MURRAY STATE.
1 Comment | Andre Black, Arizona State University, Arkansas, Ashley Muffet, Ashley Trimble, Baylor University, Chase Madison, Danielle Sampley, Eastern Kentucky University, Emilee Strot, Florida, Florida Relays, Florida State University, Gordon McKenzie, Jere' Summers, Jose Acevedo, Josh Greenwald, LSU, Michael Eaton, Mikel Thomas, Murray State University, Oregon, Penn State University, Purdue, Rachel Gehret, Rashaud Scott, Rudon Bastian, Seidre Forde, Shannon Davis, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Relays, Track and field, U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Associ, UCLA, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of Michigan, University of Southern California, University of Tennessee, Victoria Dunlap, Virginia Tech, Western Kentucky University | Permalink
Posted by Mark Maloney
Ask me when I fell in love with sports and you may as well ask when I first registered a pulse. I can't recall ever being without either. 
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