The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Track Team Travels To Vanderbilt Invitational
4/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
April 21, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB track and field team will travel to Nashville, Tenn. this weekend to take part in the Vanderbilt Invitational.
The Blazers have just two meets remaining before the Conference USA Championships at Houston, Texas May 12-15.
UAB ran most of its squad last week at the Sea Ray Relays in Knoxville, Tenn. and turned in some impressive performances despite battling poor weather conditions on Friday and Saturday.
Two individuals -- Kristina Vaughn and Rhiannon Johns -- competed at the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif. Vaughn clocked a personal-best time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase while Johns broke a five-year-old school record in the 5,000-meter run.
"We are really getting into the homestretch of our season," said UAB head coach Kurt Thomas. "We only have two meets before our conference championships, so we are looking to really sharpen up in some events. Some girls are just getting fully healthy, and these next two meets are critical to make sure they're prepared for conference, the ones who have been competing all year are just looking to get some speed work in some distance races, and drop some quality performances on most other events.
"Vandy has a quality track, the competition should be good for us, and it's time to just go perform," Thomas said. "We are looking in the sprinters to have quality races. Shakima (Knox) can move up the NCAA list in the 100m. Bianca (LeBlanc) is looking to put a good time down in the 800m and set herself up to be really ready for conference. The athletes competed really hard at Tennessee last week, but the weather was awful.
"Hopefully this weekend the weather cooperates with us, and the girls keep competing. iIt will lead to positive things for this point in our season."
