May 2, 2004

Albuquerque, N.M. (May 2, 2004)- The University of Wyoming track and field programs competed at their final meet before the Mountain West Conference Championships, Saturday at the New Mexico Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M. 13 UW athletes placed in the top three of their respective events at the non-scoring meet that was held at the Great Friends of the University of New Mexico Track Stadium.

Senior Andrea Batt took first place in two events for the Cowgirls with season best performances in both the shot put and hammer throw. Batt recorded a distance of 50' 1 1/4" in the shot put for first place and followed that with a mark of 184' 8" in the hammer throw. She heads into the MWC Championships as the favorite in both events.

"She is peaking at the right time," said UW head track and field coach Don Yentes. "She is putting herself in a position to close out her Wyoming career with a bang."

In the men's hammer throw, junior Zack Shaefer posted the best performance of his career with mark of 213' 1". The distance took second place on Saturday, but it was the top mark by a collegiate competitor. Schaefer's performance is fourth best mark in Cowboy history and currently ranks in the top five in the nation.

Sophomore Tanice Barnett turned in a season best performance in the women's 800 meter dash. Her time of 4:34.69 is also qualifies her for the NCAA Midwest Regional. Sophomore Maggie Diller finished third in the event with a time of 4:40.80.

Laramie, Wyo. native Ainsley Thrailkill took first place in the 400 meter hurdles for the second week in a row. She crossed the finish line in 1:01.77, a season best performance for the sophomore. Ingvild Carstens took third place, clocking in at 1:04.17.

After a false start disqualified her in the 400 meter dash, junior Jessica Fox battled back to take the top spot in the 200 meter dash. Fox dominated the field of 23 sprinters, finishing the race in 23.62. Casper, Wyo. native Amanda Hopper placed third with a time of 24.41.

Sophomore Jeremiah Johnson blew away the competition in the men's 800 meter run. He cruised to the finish line in 1:50.34 seconds for a first place finish, the second place runner finished in 1:51.42.

Adam Kelly was the top performer in the men's 200 meter dash. The freshman took first place in the event with a season best time of 21.51 seconds. The time is also the best time recorded by a Cowboy this season.

The Cowboys also placed first in the 4x400 meter relay. The foursome of Dominic Baysinger, Jeremiah Johnson, Robert Harris and Jermaine Kelly sprinted to a time of 3:11.56. The time is the third best performance in school history.

In the men's 100 meter dash, freshman Dwight Neptune sprinted to a third place finish, while freshman Adam Kelly placed fourth. Neptune clocked in at 10.89 seconds, Kelly also finished in 10.89, but his time proved to aided by wind.

Sophomore Matt Hudson turned in a NCAA Midwest Regional qualifying performance in the men's 1,500 meter run. Hudson placed third overall in the event with a personal best time of 3:52.72.

"We had some great performances today," added Yentes. "Our kids stepped up and made some big strides. They understand that this is the most crucial time of the season, so they have to leave it all out on the track. I we are ready for the conference meet in two weeks."

Wyoming's track and field teams will take next weekend off in preparation for the 2004 MWC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, May 13-15, in Las Vegas, Nev.