University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee to Compete in Kentucky Invitational This Weekend
January 15, 2004 | Men's Track
Jan. 15, 2004
After opening the season with two meets featuring limited Tennessee participation, head coach Bill Webb's track and field Vols shift into second gear Friday and Saturday at the Kentucky Invitational at Nutter Field House. The meet provides the first true measuring stick of the season with a 28-man travel squad heading north and a full slate of events being contested by Volunteers.
"We go to Kentucky a couple times before the SECs," Webb said. "Most of our guys have been there before, but it's a good opportunity for us. It's a good shot to see everyone on a full-size track against good competition. We'll go full force in the pole vault and other field events. Jabari Greer is in Hawaii and won't run. Plus, Marc Sylvester and some of the distance squad won't open up this weekend."
Tennessee coaches will be evaluating everyone, but several events should help the Vols gauge their progress. Tentatively, portions of the distance corps get the first workout of the season with entrants in the 800m and 3,000m runs. Newcomer Paul Cross suits up in the 800m for the first time. In the 3,000m run, NCAA cross country qualifier Tim Kelly and cross country co-captain Matthew Lapp lead freshmen Dusty Miller and Chris Platt into their first indoor race of the season. Ed Davis is also slated to compete in the 3,000m run in his first action since cross country season.
Meanwhile, heralded transfer Garland Porter may open his Tennessee career in the weight throw and shot put. In the pole vault, transfer Mike Yurcho must contend with Chandler Rice, Jeff Trembley and Andy Lane if he hopes to increase his squad-leading clearance in his specialty.
The Vols should also put forth a good effort on the short track. Sean Lambert and Jonathan Wade suit up for the 60m dash. Meanwhile, transfer Jak Taylor competes in his first 400m dash in orange. Finally, Aries Merritt continues his promising start, while Robert Boulware returns from the gridiron in the 60m hurdles.
Webb will also sprinkle decathletes Blake Sabo, Alex Hritcu, Kevin Yeager and Chris Helwick throughout the event schedule as part of training for the heptathlon, which has been added to the NCAA Indoor schedule.
The Kentucky Invitational provides the Volunteers an early look at the track at Nutter Field House, also the site of the SEC Indoor Meet Feb. 27-29. Nutter Field House was the site of the historic 1-2-3 sweep of the 60m and 200m dashes at the 2001 SEC Indoors by Leonard Scott, Justin Gatlin and Lambert. The trio's accomplishment marked the first time three sprinters from the same school took a 1-2-3 sweep in the 60m and 200m sprints at an SEC Indoor Championship Meet.
