Jan. 31, 2004

BOONE, N.C. ----- UAB's Elizabeth Ambrus won the 3,000-meter run with a time of 10:36.00, as the UAB women's track team finished the Appalachian State Invitational with a second day of solid performances here on Saturday. Jennifer Thompson also placed fourth in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 10:48.50.

In the high jump, UAB had two top-15 performers, as Adrienne Duke tied for fourth with a mark of 5-2 1/4 and Tiffany Parker placed 14th after jumping 5-0 1/4.

Four Blazers placed in the finals of the long jump. Erin Harris was fourth with a mark of 18-3, while Penny Shields finished in 10th-place with a jump of 16-10 3/4. Stephanie McCauley finished in 11th after recording a 16'10.00 and Parker placed 18th with a jump of 16-2 1/2.

Ryanne Fortney finished in fifth-place in the 1-mile run, posting a time of 5:21.60. Fortney's time was a lifetime best for the freshman.

In the 400-meter dash, UAB's Shaunte Lockett placed sixth with a time of 59.66. Blazers Petra Ivanova and LaDedria Taylor placed 28th and 29th, respectively.

UAB's Orianna Carter placed eighth in the 55-meter dash with a time of 7.20. Carter also finished 11th in the 200-meter dash, running the event in 26.08. UAB's Normanie McKenzie placed 18th in the event with a time of 26.57 and Erin Harris finished in 27th, after recording a time of 27.05.

In the shot put, three Blazers placed in the top-30. Jessica Moore registered a mark of 37-6, good enough for ninth, while Laura Strunk and Christy Mixon placed 20th and 30th, respectively.

Elizabeth Ambrus placed 11th in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:28.65. Adie Sander finished in 2:31.55, good enough for 15th and Adrienne Duke placed 21st overall with a time of 2:33.63.

In the 4x400-meter relay, the Blazers "A" team, which included Normanie McKenzie, Shauntae Lockett, Elace Minnfield and Crystal Hunter, finished in second, running the event in 3:53.82. UAB's "B" team of Amanda Hart, Ivanova, McCauley and Shields placed eighth with a time of 4:08.19.

The Blazers will next compete in the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark. The meet, hosted by the University of Arkansas, takes place on Feb. 13.