Aug. 30, 2001

The UAB track & field team underwent a facelift of sorts last year, signing ten newcomers to the program. With three additional walk-ons, Head Coach Brian Funk hopes for positive changes to this year's squad. Along with the eight returning letterwinners, each newcomer is expected to make a big impact for the Blazers.

Junior College transfer, Doella Miller leads the group on experience. Miller is a transfer from Meridian Junior College in Mississippi, where she qualified for last year's Junior College National Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 200m dash. Her specialty however is the 400m where she is expected to shine this year for the Blazers.

Freshman Heather Burdett will join her twin sister Andrea Burdett on the team a year late. Heather is from Toronto, Canada and stayed a fifth year in the Canadian system before coming to UAB. She will join the distance team and hopefully develop into a force in the 3000m steeplechase.

Adrienne Duke is a freshman from Hueytown, Ala. and will focus on the heptathlon in the outdoor season for the Blazers. Her best event in high school was the high jump, but she also excelled in the 400m and 200m dashes. Duke is a talented athlete and should convert nicely to the multi events.

Crystal Hunter is a freshman from Mobile, Ala. and was the Alabama State Champion Outdoors for 200m and had the second place time in the state for 100m at 11.89 seconds. She will add to the strong sprinting tradition at UAB and should be a major factor in the conference.

Normanie McKenzie is a freshman from Powder Springs, Ga. and will concentrate on 400m for the Blazers. She also runs the 200m and 100m events and will be counted on heavily at 400m and in the relay events.

Elace Minnifield is a freshman from Birmingham, Ala. and is also a very gifted 400m runner. She will be counted on to make an impact in the conference over 400m and will be relied on in the relays.

Kacie Remeto , a freshman from Bel Air, MD, will compete in the 1500m and 800m events for the Blazers. She has a mile personal record of 5:03 and should develop into a real threat within the conference.

Judy Sheppard is a freshman from Tuscaloosa, Ala. and was the top triple jumper in the state last year with a mark of 39'1". She was also one of the states top hurdlers, long jumpers and heptathletes. She will focus on the multi events this year as well as hurdles and jumps. She should be a major factor in the conference.

Freshman Theresa Smith , from Montgomery, Ala., will continue the strong tradition of hurdlers here at UAB. She will be filling some big shoes with the departure of Olympic Trials Qualifier Nakeshia Jackson Leverette. Smith has been one of the top hurdlers in the state for the past several years and has a personal record of 14.2 seconds for the 100m hurdles.

The last addition will join the team in January.