Jan. 17, 2004

CARBONDALE, Ill. ---- The UAB track and field team started the 2004 indoor season with a strong performance in the second day of competition here on Saturday at the Saluki Booster Invitational. The Blazers had 10 top-three finishes on the day.

Oriana Carter, Adrienne Duke, Ryanne Fortney, Petra Ivanova, Elace Minnifield, Judy Shepherd and Jennifer Thompson all had top-three finishes for UAB.

"It was a great first meet for us," said UAB head coach Ray Stanfield. "We had some really good performances, especially from our freshmen. They didn't score this one, but overall, I am pleased with our showing. The freshman really stepped up. I'm excited about the future and was very pleased with the effort and the performances of the freshmen. Our team made an excellent showing even without the presence of two of our top athletes, Theresa Smith and Emry McKay."

Thompson, a freshman, had the Blazers' only individual first-place finish, winning the 5000-meter run with a time of 18:50.02. She then came back to finish fourth in the 3000-meter event with a time of 10:57.17.

"Jennifer Thompson was impressive in her first meet," said Stanfield. "It's a great accomplishment to win the 5000 and then place so high in the 3000 all in one day."

The Blazers also took the title in the women's distance medley, finishing with a time of 12:25.24. The medley team consisted of four freshmen, Ivanova, Amanda Hart, Genoah Collins and Elizabeth Ambrus. UAB's second medley team consisted of Adie Sander, Penny Shields, Mary Kim Webb and Elbie Anderson and placed fifth in the event.

In the 4x400-meter relay, UAB placed second overall with a time of 3:53.80. The team of Hart, Collins, Minnifield and Crystal Hunter finished 1.65 behind the winner, Tennessee State.

After the medley win, Ambrus continued to perform well on the day, placing second in the 3000-meter run with a time of 10:39.64.

Another freshman, Fortney placed third in the 5000-meter run with a time of 19:29.72 and then finished fifth in the 3000-meters, completing the run in 11:09.54.

In the women's high jump, Duke placed second, with a height of 1.65 meters. Shepherd and Tiffany Parker tied for eighth, after recording a jump of 1.55 meters.

Shepherd then placed second in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 8.22, while LaDedria Taylor placed eighth after running an 8.75 in the same event.

In the 800-meter run, UAB had five runners place in the top-18. Ivanova finished second overall with a time of 2:19.01, while Genoah Collins finished in fifth with a time of 2:21.74. Webb placed 13th, Sander was in 17th and Shepherd placed 18th overall.

Minnifield placed second in the 400-meter dash, finishing with a time of 58.91. Shauntae Lockett finished with a time of 1:01.45, good enough for 13th, while Duke placed 15th after running the event in 1:02.50.

In the 55-meter dash, freshman Carter placed third with a time of 7.14, while Crystal Hunter finished seventh after completing the event in 7.24.

Two Blazers placed in the long jump, as Duke placed eighth with a jump of 5.22 meters and Stephanie McCauley was 13th after tallying a 4.97 meter jump.

UAB had six athletes place in the women's shot put, as Jessica Moore led the way with a ninth-place finish. Moore had a throw of 11.72 meters. Laura Strunk placed 13th with a 9.86 throw. Christy Mixon finished tied for 14th, Shepherd was 16th and Parker placed 19th in the competition.

Next, the Blazers travel to East Tennessee State in Johnson, City, Tenn. UAB will compete in the ETSU Classic on Jan. 23-24, 2004.