Feb. 14, 2004

For Immediate Release: February 14, 2004

CLEMSON, S.C. ---- The UAB track and field team, led by Petra Ivanova and a school record performance in the distance relay, turned in its best performance of the indoor season here Saturday at the Tiger Invitational.

Ivanova ran a personal-best time of 5:07.95 in claiming victory in the mile run outdistancing North Florida's Amber Littleton by almost two seconds, pulling away in the final 200-meters.

Both Blazer distance medley teams finished in the top-5 as the UAB "A" team of Elizabeth Ambrus, Amanda Hart, Genoah Collins and Ryanne Fortney placed second and set a school record time of 12:24.47. The "B" team of Emry McKay, Mary Kim Webb, Adie Sander and Jennifer Thompson finished fourth.

"We had a great meet. It's the best overall performance we've had since I've been here," said second-year coach Ray Stanfield. "I think it solidified what we've been trying to do showing that we can be one of the top programs in the Southeast."

Other top-5 Blazer performances included the second place finish of the 4x400-meter relay team and Theresa Smith also finished second in the 60-meter hurdles with a 8.72 second effort. Oriana Carter set a freshman record and personal best with a 7.63 in the 60-meter dash and Ambrus ran a personal-best time of 10:14.78 in the 3000-meter run, which was good enough for a fourth place finish and drew praise from her coach.

"She put herself in a different category," he said. "Her performance moves her up into a challenging position when she gets to the Conference USA championships."

The Blazers will compete in the final tune-up for the conference meet when they travel to Southeast Missouri University next Friday for the SEMO Triangular Meet.