Feb. 28, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt track and field team begins postseason competition this weekend as it travels to Fayetteville, Ark., for the Southeastern Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships.
“We’re hoping to conclude our indoor season on a good note with some PRs,” Vanderbilt track and field head coach D’Andre Hill said. “We’re really looking forward to what the distance runners can do to close the indoor season. Our 4×400 relay team and the distance medley relay team have been the highlights of the indoor season so far.”
The Commodores have had several athletes obtain new PRs during the indoor season. Particularly impressive have been distance runners Rita Jorgensen and Kristabel Doebel-Hickok. Jorgensen recorded two top-10 finishes in the highly-competitive Tyson Invitational, finishing third in the mile run and seventh in the 800-meter run.
Fellow freshman Kristabel Doebel-Hickok ran one of the best times in school history in the 5,000 meters at the Meyo Invitational, finishing the event in 17:24.08. The time ranks as the fourth-fastest time in school history at that distance.
Considered by many to be the toughest track and field conference in the country, the SEC has seven teams ranked in the top 25 in the latest poll released by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. LSU holds down the top spot in the poll, while Tennessee, the 2007 Indoor champion, is ranked fourth in the country. Other ranked SEC teams in the poll include Arkansas (ninth), Florida (14th), Ole Miss (15th), Kentucky (22nd), and South Carolina (25th).
“There will be some great competition this weekend,” Hill added. “This meet is the toughest competition in the country. We’re ready to get in there and compete with some of the best teams in the country.”
Action at the Randal Tyson Track Center begins Friday at 3 p.m. with the pentathlon events, and continues on Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m.