Jan. 19, 2008

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. ----- The UAB track and field team completed the final day of events Saturday at the 30th Annual Niswonger Invitational hosted by East Tennessee State University with strong performances in the distance and relay events, as well as an individual second-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles.

UAB picked up eight top-three finishes giving them a total of 10 during the two-day event.

The Blazers took the top-two spots in the distance medley relay, marking the third time that the Blazers have placed first and second in as many events this season. The UAB "A" team comprised of Genoah Collins, Tara Colvin, Alina Varpiotaite, and Whitney Mays set a season-best 11:53.31 in the event. The "B" team of Stephanie Gammon, Jacinta Scruggs, Bianca LeBlanc and Elizabeth Ambrus finished in 12:16.73.

The UAB 4x400-meter relay team, which earned the ran the top primlinary time Friday, placed second (3:46.49) in the finals.

Erika Russ finished second in the 60-meter hurdles (8.81) invite finals. Russ qualified for the event after running a 9.07 in Friday's preliminaries. Janelle Gaines and Samantha Hamilton, competed in the collegiate finals finishing eighth (9.18) and 11th (9.36) respectively.

Gammon began day two of the meet for the Blazers with a second-place finish (18:00.51) in the 5,000 meter run, while Kristina Olsen won the 3,000 meter run with a time of 10:38.37. Ambrus placed second in the one-mile run (5:02.63) with Mays behind in third place (5:10.35).

The Blazers will compete in the LSU Multi Meet beginning Jan. 31 in Baton Rouge, La.