May 16, 2003

CHARLOTTE, N.C. --- The UAB track and field team completed the second day of the Conference USA Outdoor Championships here Friday. The Blazers were led by Elace Minnifield who qualified for the 400-meter dash finals.

Minnifield finished the 400-meter dash prelims, in seventh place with a time of 55.63 and qualifying for Saturday's finals. This marks Minnifield's career best in the 400-meters and puts her third-fastest in UAB history. She also finished the 200-meter dash prelims with a time of 25.16, a season-best and in 15th place.

Fellow Blazer Judy Shepherd finished the prelims for the women's 100-meter hurdles with a season-best time of 14.70 and in 10th place. She also finished the heptathlon competition in ninth place overall and with a total score of 4,532, fifth-best in school history. In the 400-meter hurdle prelims, Shepherd finished in 17th place with a time of 1:09.08.

Senior Donna Pucke completed the 800-meter run prelims in 12th place, with a time of 2:15.51. Teammate Doella Miller finished the preliminaries for the 400-meter dash with a time of 57.36 and also in 12th place.

In the 100-meter dash prelims, Crystal Hunter finished in 15th place with a time of 12.41. She also finished the 200-meter prelims with a time of 25.40. Blazer Normanie McKenzie finished the 200-meter prelims with a time of 25.94 and in 24th place. She also ran in the women's 400-meter dash prelims finishing with a time of 57.60 and in 14th place overall.

Anna Parker finished the prelims for the 400-meter hurdles with a season-best time of 1:11.20, followed by teammate Jan Parker with a time of 1:13.85. Freshman Olivia Ross-Hurst finished competition in the heptathlon with a score of 3,957 and in 13th place. Ross-Hurst also completed the prelims for the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:10.28.

Christy Mixon competed in the prelims for the women's javelin throw with a toss of 85-9. Teammate Dina Katsoulis also finished the javelin throw prelims with a toss of 82-6.

Competition will conclude Saturday May 17, with the team relays. Blazer Elace Minnifield will advance to the 400-meter dash finals scheduled for 2:00 pm.