May 13, 2004

LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- The UAB women's track and field team started the 2004 Conference USA Championships with a strong first day here on Thursday afternoon. Senior Amanda Kara placed eighth overall in the 10,000-meters and was named to the all-conference team in the event.

"We had a great first day," said head coach Ray Stanfield. "Amanda Kara was very impressive and I'm excited for her to be named to the all-conference team. Judy Shepherd and Adrienne Duke also did a great job for us today in the heptathlon. I'm really proud of what the girls did and we're looking forward to competing again tomorrow."

In the hepthalon, Shepherd currently sits in second-place after the first four events, while Duke is in seventh place.

Shepherd finished in the top-10 in the four events today. She won the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.23 and second in the 200-meters with a time of 25.34. Shepherd was fifth in the shot put with a throw of 10.64 meters and ninth in the high jump at 1.55 meters.

Duke had four top-12 finishes in the heptathlon, while Tiffany Parker was in the top-15 in all four events.

Kara finished the 10,000-meters with a time of 38:21.84, good for eighth overall. Jennifer Thompson placed 11th overall, finishing the event in 39:10.64 and Ryanne Fortney finished in 16th-place with a time of 40:14.01.