March 28, 2003

GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- The UAB track and field team completed day one of the Florida Relays, Friday March 28.

The Blazers were led by sophomore Theresa Smith, who completed the 100-meter hurdles in sixth place with a time of 13.73, tying her all-time best. Smith also ran in the 400-meter hurdles for the first time in her collegiate career and finished with a time of 1:04.82. This places Smith as the fourth fastest in UAB history.

"The girls are running faster," said head coach Ray Stanfield. "As the season goes on the faster they run, which is what they are doing."

Sophomore Elace Minnifield finished the 400-meter dash with a season best time of 56.55. Teammate Doella Miller also finished with a personal best in the 400-meter dash with a time of 57.88. Senior Donna Pucke completed the 800-meter run with a time of 2:17.20, a season best, while fellow Blazer teammate Amanda Kara finished the 1500-meter run with a time of 4:54.64.

Crystal Hunter ran the 100-meters with a time of 12.48 and Judy Shepherd completed the 400-meter hurdles in a time of 1:09.72.

"We had a really good first day," said Stanfield. "The level of competition is higher at the Florida Relays than it was at the Alabama Relays. There are some top collegiate athletes and some All-Americans. I am looking forward to tomorrow."

The Florida Relays will continue Saturday March 29, with the relay events.