UAB Track & Field

UNIVERSITY QUICK FACTS TABLE OF CONTENTS Team Information Location: Birmingham, Ala. 2008 Roster ...... 2 Founded: 1969 Conference USA ...... 2 Enrollment: 16,697 Head Coach Ray Stanfield ...... 3-4 Nickname: Blazers Colors: Forest Green and Old Gold Assistant Coaches/Support Staff ...... 5 President: Dr. Carol Garrison The 2008 Blazers Faculty Representative: Dr. Johnny Scott Season Outlook ...... 6 2008 Athlete Bios ...... 7-19 DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS Conference USA ...... 20 Athletics Director: Brian Mackin The 2007 Season Senior Associate AD: Lee Moon 2007 Season Review ...... 21 Senior Associate AD/External Affairs: 2007 Top Performances ...... 22-23 Shannon Ealy Senior Associate AD/Senior Woman UAB Records Administrator: Rosalind Ervin All-Time Records ...... 24 Associate AD/Academic Affairs: Danez Marrable Indoor Top-Five ...... 25 Associate AD/Business Affairs: Andy Hollis Outdoor Top-Five ...... 26-27 Associate AD/Compliance: Chad Jackson Greatest Sprinters in UAB History ...... 27 Associate AD/Marketing: Sam Miller Freshman Records ...... 28 Associate AD/Media Relations: Norm Reilly This Is UAB Associate AD/Ticket Operations and Football UAB Administration ...... 29 Administration: Matt Wildt Assistant AD/Athletic Training: Mike Jones Proud Past/Bright Future ...... 30-32 Assistant AD/Financial Affairs: Dave Henze Assistant AD/Facilities: Reid Adair ABOUT OUR NAME Director of Strength & Conditioning: Stacey Torman The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has been an autonomous member of the University of Alabama system since TRACK & FIELD STAFF 1969, and has had an intercollegiate athletic program since 1977. Head Coach: Ray Stanfield UAB is sometimes confused with the University of Alabama (Crimson Assistant Coach: Kurt Thomas Tide), which is located in Tuscaloosa; while this is inevitable, it is Assistant Coach: Danielle Keplinger important to note that the two are indeed separate institutions. Athletic Trainer: Brandon Burris In addition, the UAB name is often altered by various media, oppo- ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS nents, merchandisers, etc. Associate AD/Media Relations: Norm Reilly Please note that there are only two correct versions of our Associate Director: Aaron Jordan name, the acronym “UAB,” or the full “University of Alabama at Assistant Director: Michelle Cunningham Birmingham.” In addition, the Associated Press sports style- Assistant Director: Mark Vellek book now uses UAB on first reference, not Alabama-

Media Relations Assistant/Track Contact: Colin Birmingham. General Information Waters We are: PHONE DIRECTORY UAB UAB Department of Athletics: (205) 975-8221 Media Relations: (205) 934-0722 University of Alabama at Birmingham Media Relations Fax: (205) 934-7505 Head Coach Ray Stanfield: (205) 934-7236 We are not: Assistant Coaches: (205) 934-7257 Alabama-Birmingham, Ala.-Birmingham, UA- MEDIA INFORMATION Birmingham or U.A.B. The 2008 UAB track and field media guide has been written to provide members of the media with statis- CREDITS: The 2008 UAB track & field media guide is an official pro- tics and information needed to adequately cover the duction of the UAB Athletic Media Relations Office. The guide was UAB track and field team. If you need further infor- compiled, designed, written and edited by Colin Waters and Michelle mation on the team, photographs, or wish to set up Cunningham, with editorial assistance by Norm Reilly and Ray interviews with head coach Ray Stanfield or any of Stanfield. Photography by Steve Wood, Mike Strawn, Aaron the team members, please contact the UAB Athletic Burnstein and Ashley Fleming. “UAB At A Glance” section designed Media Relations office at (205) 934-0722. by UAB Creative Services. Cover design by Old Hat Creative, Tulsa, Okla. Special thanks to Theresa Bates and UAB Printing Services. Page designs by Theresa Bates.

2008 BLAZERS 1 UAB Track & Field

2008 ROSTER

Name Year Event(s) Hometown/Previous School Elizabeth Ambrus Sr. Distance Arlington Heights, Ill./Rolling Meadows HS Christina Chambers So. Sprints/Mid-Distance Cullman, Ala./Cullman HS Genoah Collins Sr. Mid-Distance Huntsville, Ala./J.O. Johnson HS Tara Colvin Sr. Sprints Tuscaloosa, Ala./North Ridge HS Janelle Gaines Fr. Hurdles Brookfield, Ill./Lyons Township HS Stephanie Gammon Fr. Distance Central, S.C./Daniel HS Samantha Hamilton Fr. Jumps/Hurdles Killeen, Texas/C.E. Ellison HS Katrina Harrell So. Sprints Birmingham, Ala./Erwin HS Elizabeth Hilligoss Jr. Distance Houston, Texas/ Stratford HS Kendal Hood So. Distance Spring, Texas/Klein Collins HS Katie Horton So. Mid-Distance Jasper, Ala./Walker HS Veronica Johnson Fr. Sprints Birmingham, Ala./A.H. Parker HS Bianca Le’Blanc Fr. Sprints/Mid-Distance Houston, Texas/Klein Forest HS Whitney Mays Sr. Distance Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington HS Timara McMillan So. Hurdles/Multi Birmingham, Ala./Vestavia Hills HS Nora Mehl So. Multi Rottweil, Germany/Droste Huelshoff Gymnasium Kristina Olsen So. Distance Jackson, Mich./Jackson HS Tracy Rowan Sr. Mid-Distance Birmingham, Ala./Clay-Chalkville HS Erika Russ Sr. Hurdles Hoover, Ala./Hoover HS Jacinta Scruggs Fr. Multi Round Rock, Texas/Stony Point HS Jasmie Sheffield Fr. Sprints/Mid-Distance Phenix City, Ala./Smiths Station HS Penny Shields Sr. Jumps Denver, Colo./Montbello HS Katryce Sykes So. Sprints Portsmouth, Va./Warwick HS Alina Varpiotaite Jr. Sprints/Mid-Distance Klaipeda, Lithuania/Vytautas Didysis Gymnasium Amber Walker So. Sprints Flower Mound, Texas/Lewisville HS Erica Whitby Fr. Jumps Smiths Station, Ala./Smiths Station HS Thela Woodring So. Distance Anderson, S.C./T.L. Hanna HS Lacey Wright Fr. Distance Scottsboro, Ala./Scottsboro HS

Head Coach: Ray Stanfield (Mid America Bible, ’78, Sixth year) Assistant Coach: Kurt Thomas (Tennessee ’04, First year) Danielle Keplinger (Auburn ’05, First year)

2008 Seniors 2008 Roster

2 2008 BLAZERS UAB Track & Field

which was UAB’s highest finish since 1996. The Blazers had Ray Stanfield six all-conference performances and Stanfield was named Women’s Coach of the Year. UAB set a total of eight school Head Coach records during the indoor season and sophomore Genoah Collins qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 800 meters. Additionally, Elizabeth Ambrus took the indoor con- Sixth Season ference title in the 5,000 meters. During the outdoor season Mid-America Bible, ‘78 UAB set a total of eight school records and two freshman records. The Blazers had two all-conference performances and eight NCAA Regional Championship qualifiers. UAB Ray Stanfield, who has spent more than 20 years coach- also took the title at the 2005 Alabama Relays. ing track and field in the college and high school, is in his sixth During the spring of 2004, the Blazers broke 10 school year at the helm of UAB’s track and field and cross country records, setting four for the indoor season and an additional programs. Stanfield has coached Olympians, All-Americans six for the outdor season. The Blazers finished eighth at the and NCAA Champions, and has also earned Coach of the C-USA Indoor Championships and ninth at the C-USA Year honors in Texas, Louisiana and Alabama. At UAB, he Outdoor Championships. The Blazers’ 400 meter relay team has produced numerous Conference USA Athletes of the also finished in ninth place at the NCAA Midwest Region Week, one C-USA Athlete of the Year in Elizabeth Ambrus Championships. and the Blazers’ cross country squad has earned the In 2003, his team broke five school records and added Academic All-American team award six times. His UAB track HE TANFIELD ILE teams have also set 35 school records over five season. T S F In 2007, Stanfield led his charges to a fourth place finish at the league’s indoor championships while putting eight ath- EDUCATION: letes on the indoor all-conference team. Although concluding Mid-America Bible College, 1978 the C-USA Outdoor Championships in ninth place, UAB had Bachelor of Arts - Secondary Education three all-conference athletes and sent five to the NCAA Sam Houston State, 1988 Mideast Regional Meet. Master’s degree - Exercise Physiology During the 2006 season, COACHING EXPERIENCE: the Blazers 1976 Northwest Academy HS - Texas earned a fifth (asst. Basketball and Football) place finish at 1977 Broadway Baptist HS - Texas the C-USA (head Basketball and Track) Outdoor 1978-81 Saint Pius X HS - Texas Championships, Head Coach Ray Stanfield (head track and basketball, football assistant) which marked 1982-87 Rice University their best finish (asst. track coach) since the 1998 season. With 1988 Sam Houston State the guidance of (head cross country, asst. track) Stanfield, seven 1989-92 Huntsville HS - Texas Blazers qualified (head coach) for the regional 1993-94 McNeese State meet and (head coach) Elizabeth 1995-97 Corrigan-Camden HS - Texas Ambrus qualified (head coach) for the NCAA 1998-99 Crockett HS - Texas National (head coach) Championship 2000 Canton HS - Texas meet in two (head coach) events. 2001 Samford University At the (asst. coach) 2005 C-USA 2002-present UAB Indoor (head coach) Championships, Stanfield guided PERSONAL: the Blazers to a Wife - the former Patricia Conway third-place finish, Children - Tori and Tyler (twins)

2008 BLAZERS 3 UAB Track & Field

QUOTING COACH STANFIELD

On UAB: “What a great university we have, with the aca- demic programs already in place and the guidance of the athletic department under our administration. The sky is the limit for UAB.”

On the Student-Athlete: “Academics are very important to me, going back to my years at Rice. I have seen the importance of being a great student. An athlete can only run for so long, then their degree must carry them on.”

numerous performers to the all-time top-five list in Blazer Stanfield has also coached collegiately at McNeese State track history. One athlete was also named C-USA Athlete of (head coach,1993-94), Sam Houston State (assistant coach, the Week. 1987-88) and Samford University (assistant coach, 2001-02). Stanfield showed his recruiting ability during the off-sea- While at McNeese State, his women’s team won the son. His first recruiting class as coach of the Blazers includ- Louisiana Collegiate Championship in 1993. ed two national champions, 12 state title winners and an All- Stanfield received his degree in secondary education in American. 1978 from Mid-America Bible College in Oklahoma City Stanfield began his coaching career in 1976 at the high where he was an All-American in basketball. He later earned school level. He spent seven years as a high school coach in a masters degree in physical education at Sam Houston Texas. While at Canton (Texas) High School, he was named State in 1988. Stanfield began his college career as a student the state's 2000 U.S. Running Cross Country Coach of the at Hardin-Simmons on a basketball scholarship. He was all- Year after leading his team to the Texas State Championship. conference three times in basketball and an All-American as Previous high school coaching experience for Stanfield a senior. includes head coach at Crockett High School (1998-2000), Stanfield is married to the former Patricia Conway of head coach at Corrigan-Camden High School (1995-96) and Houston. They have two children (twins): Tori and Tyler. Tyler head coach at Huntsville High School (1988-94). Stanfield is currently training as a professional tri-athlete. Tyler spent led his teams to nine high school state championships. his first two seasons at Alabama, where he was an All-SEC In 1982, Stanfield became the assistant coach at Rice performer in track in 2003 and the 2002 Freshman of the Year University, coaching the 400-meter specialists and the 4x100 for the South Region in Cross Country. He also spent the and 4x400-meter relay teams. Under his tutelage, two Owl 2004-05 season at Houston, where he finished second at the relay teams finished as runners-up at the NCAA Conference USA Cross Country championships and helped Championships in 1985 and 1986. His 400-meter relay team the Cougars win the 2004 C-USA cross country, indoor and placed second in 1985, while his indoor mile relay team outdoor championships. championships. placed third in 1986. While at Rice, he also coached Canadian Olympian Courtney Brown and Jamaican Olympian and two-time 1000-meter NCAA Champion Gawain Guy. Also, two of his sprinters were Olympic Trials finalists, Elliston Stinson and Steven Hall (1984).

2003 NCAA Regional Qualifiers - 8 Indoor Track: All-Conference Athletes - 2 Conference Finish - 12th out of 13 2006 Outdoor Track: Indoor Track: Conference Finish - 13th out of 13 Conference Finish - 8th out of 12 2004 All-Conference Athletes - 2 Indoor Track: Outdoor Track: Conference Finish - 8th out of 13 Conference Finish - 5th out of 12 Outdoor Track: NCAA Regional Qualifiers - 7 Conference Finish - 9th out of 13 NCAA National Qualifiers - 1 NCAA Regional Qualifiers - 2 All-Conference Athletes - 2 All-Conference Athletes - 1 2007 2005 Indoor Track: Indoor Track: Conference Finish - 4th out of 12 Conference Finish - 3rd out of 13 All-Conference Athletes - 8 NCAA National Qualifier - 1 Outdoor Track All-Conference Athletes - 7 Conference Finish - 9th out of 12 Named Conference USA Coach of the Year All-Conference Athletes - 3 Outdoor Track: NCAA Regional Qualifiers - 5 Conference Finish - t-8th out of 13 Head Coach Ray Stanfield Head Coach Ray

4 2008 BLAZERS UAB Track & Field

Danielle Keplinger Kurt Thomas

Assistant Coach Assistant Coach

First Season First Season Auburn, ’05 Tennessee, ’04

Danielle Keplinger, who has spent the past two years at Kurt Thomas is in his first year as an assistant coach at UAB. Georgia Southern as an assistant with the Eagles' cross country Thomas will work primarily with the UAB sprinters and hurdlers. and track and field programs, begins her first season as an Thomas has spent the past three seasons an assistant assistant coach for the Blazers' cross country and track and field coach at Mississippi State. His primary responsibilities included programs. Her main focus at UAB will be on working with the dis- coaching hurdlers, jumpers and women's sprinters. At MSU, he tance runners. coached several relay teams and individuals to first place finish- A former distance runner herself, Keplinger was a four-year es. He also helped his athletes break four outdoor records and letterwinner in both cross country and track at Auburn University, set 33-personal best marks. earning her bachelor's degree in physical education in 2005. Prior to Mississippi State, Thomas was a student assistant at Following her college career, she served a two-year stint as Tennessee. During his three years with the Volunteers, he assist- an assistant coach at Georgia Southern University. During her ed with the men's program and was a member of two SEC cham- time with the Eagles, she helped coach the women's track and pionship teams and two NCAA national championship squads. field team to its first-ever Southern Conference outdoor champi- Thomas also helped with the UT Championship Track and onship in 2007. Field Camps and coached the Knoxville Track Club. Thomas graduated from Tennessee in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. He has two USATF Level II certifications, the first in sprint, hurdles and relays and the second in combined events. Thomas is a native of Hobbs N.M., where he graduated from Hobbs High School. Staff Assistant Coaches & Support

Brandon Burris Sidney Ball

Athletic Trainer Academic Advisor

First Season Third Season Tulsa, ’06 UAB, ’04

Brandon Burris joined the UAB Athletic Training Department Sidney Ball is in his third season as the academic advisor as a Graduate Assistant in 2006. In addition to overseeing the for the UAB Track & Field team and his fourth year overall work- care and injury prevention for the UAB Track & Field team, he ing in the academic advising department of UAB athletics. also works with the Blazers’ football team. In addition to the track & field team, he also works with Prior to UAB, Burris was a student athletic trainer at the UAB’s women’s basketball and volleyball teams as well as University of Tulsa. While at Tulsa, he worked with the football, assisting with the CHAMPS/Life Skills program. men’s soccer, men’s and women’s tennis and crew teams. Ball is a former UAB student-athlete, lettering four seasons Burris also did athletic training with the Eastern Oklahoma on the Blazers’ men’s basketball team. During his tenure at Orthopedic Center, as well as at Union High School. In addition UAB, he was a two-time team captain and a valuable asset to to working at the University of Tulsa, he served as an intern for the program, both on and off the court. the Tulsa 66ers, a local NBA Development League team. During Ball’s senior year, he helped the Blazers to a 22-10 Burris earned his bachelor’s degree in athletic training from record, including a 12-4 mark in Conference USA and a share of Tulsa in 2006 and is currently working on his master’s degree in the regular season crown, as well as an appearance in the exercise physiology. He is a member of the National Athletic NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. Trainers’ Association. Ball earned his bachelor’s degree in justice science from UAB in 2004. He is currently a member of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A).

2008 BLAZERS 5 UAB Track & Field

UAB begins its 22nd year of track and field with 18 athletes and six has earned three All-Conference USA honors dating back to her all-conference athletes returning. With their wealth of talent and freshman year, was named all-conference a season ago for her role experience returning that broke seven school records last year, in the indoor 4x400 relay. along with the addition of nine newcomers, the Blazers have set their goals high for the 2008 track and field season. Adding experienced depth to the mid-distance and sprint events will be senior Tracy Rowan and sophomores Christina Chambers, The Blazers are led by head coach Ray Stanfield, who begins his Katrina Harrell, Amber Walker, Katie Horton and Katryce Sykes. sixth year overseeing the UAB track and field squad. During his tenure at UAB, Stanfield has coached 10 Conference USA Athletes Newcomers in the mid-distance and sprint events this season are of the Week, five Academic All-America team awards for cross coun- freshmen Veronica Johnson, Bianca LeBlanc, Jasmine Sheffield, try, and one C-USA Athlete of the Year. He was named the 2006 C- Nora Mehl, and Jacinta Scruggs. USA Cross Country Coach of the Year, and the 2005 C-USA Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year. Hurdles Erika Russ anchors a young but up and coming hurdles squad. Russ Joining the staff are first-year assistants Kurt Thomas and Danielle was an all-conference performer in the 60-meter hurdles last season Keplinger. Thomas, who spent the past three seasons as an assis- while improving her time by nearly half a second. tant at Mississippi State and two seasons at Tennessee, will work pri- marily with the sprinters, hurdlers, and jumpers. Keplinger spent the The only other returning hurdler for the Blazers is sophomore Timara previous two years at Georgia Southern before joining the Blazers. McMillan who will also be competing in multi events this season. Last She was a four-year cross country letterwinner at Auburn and will year, McMillan broke the UAB freshman record for points scored in work primarily with distance runners. the pentathlon at the C-USA Indoor Championship.

Distance Samantha Hamilton and Janelle Gaines are newcomers for UAB this The distance runners return an experienced and proven group of year and are expected to contribute in the hurdle events. Hamilton is runners and will be the strongest area on the team entering the sea- a state champion from Texas while Gaines was a three-time state son. Six distance runners return from last year's distance squad that qualifier in the 100-meter hurdles. Nora Mehl will also compete in the earned four All-Conference USA awards during the indoor and out- hurdles. door seasons. Combined the distance group has received 11 all-con- ference honors. Jumps Led by a NCAA qualifier and a group of talented newcomers the Elizabeth Ambrus and Whitney Mays both enter their senior seasons jumps could be the most improved event for the Blazers this season. as defending champions, and have been the program's most suc- cessful distance runners with nine all-conference honors and three Penny Shields, who redshirted last season, returns as the only individual championships at conference meets. jumper for the Blazers. Shields was a NCAA Outdoor Regional Qualifier and earned indoor all-conference honors in the triple jump Ambrus, who is the defending conference champion in the indoor in 2006. 5,000-meter run, will be the most relied upon distance runner for the Blazers. Mays, an NCAA Outdoor Regional Qualifier last year, is the The group of incoming jumpers is led by freshmen Erica Whitby and defending outdoor conference champion in the 3,000-meter steeple- Hamilton. Whitby will compete in the high jump for the Blazers, an chase. Both Ambrus and Mays are capable of qualifying for the event that she won at the 2006 6A Indoor Track and Field NCAA regional and national meets. Championships.

Also returning for UAB's distance squad is senior Elizabeth Hilligoss Hamilton comes to UAB as a two-time champion in the triple jump at and sophomores Kendel Hood, Kristina Olsen and Thela Woodring. the Texas Relays and the state's top triple jumper. She won the event Both Hilligoss and Olsen have earned all-conference honors in cross in 2005 and 2006 and country. was ranked 12th national in the event. Freshmen Stephanie Gammon and Lacey Wright will impact the dis- tance squad. Both enter with impressive high school resumes and Relays could compete for all-conference honors. With nearly all of their runners returning from Mid-Distance/Sprints relay teams that set three UAB brings nine returnees to the mid-distance and sprint events this school record and earned year, led by its three all-conference honorees from a year ago in sen- two all-conference honors iors Genoah Collins and Tara Colvin, and junior Alina Varpiotaite. a season ago, the Blazers' relay teams are Colvin, a NCAA Outdoor Regional Qualifier for the third-straight year, prepared to exceed last set two individual school records in the 300- and 400-meter runs, year's results and have a and was also a member of relay teams that set new school marks in banner year. the 4x400 relay and distance medley relay. Colvin earned two all- conference honors during the indoor season. Prior to last season Varpiotaite, Hood, Colvin, Colvin had twice qualified for the NCAA Regional Meet. Mays and Collins helped the Blazers set at least Varpiotaite, an NCAA Outdoor qualifier last season in the 800-meter one new school record in run, holds one individual record and is a member of four relay teams relay events last season. that hold school records. She set the school record in the outdoor Last year UAB set new 800-meter run at the NCAA Outdoor Regional Meet, and earned con- marks in the indoor 4x400 ference honors in the indoor 4x400 relay, indoor distance medley relay and distance med- relay, and the indoor and outdoor 800-meter run. Varpiotaite also ley relay as well a the out- played a pivotal role in the UAB relays, which helped set three school door 4x800 relay. records last season.

Collins, who holds the Blazers' 800-meter run indoor record, rounds out a powerful trio of mid-distance and sprinter for UAB. Collins, who Erika Russ 2008 Season Outlook

6 2008 BLAZERS UAB Track & Field

Elizabeth Ambrus 2004: Part of the distance medley relay team that set a school Elizabeth Ambrus record with a 11:49.96 at the Florida Relays and won three-consec- utive meets … set a UAB outdoor freshman record in the 3,000 Senior meters at the Vanderbilt Invitational, posting a 10:08.60 time and fin- ishing second … set a UAB indoor freshman record in the 3,000 Distance meters at the Tiger Invitational, with a time of 10:14.78 and a fourth- place finish in the meet … set personal records in the 1500-meter run with a time of 4:47.99 and the 5000-meter run with at time of Arlington Heights, Ill. 17:43.33, finishing 12th in the event, at the C-USA Championships Rolling Meadows HS … had a personal best at the SEMO Triangular Invitational with a 5:16.20 in the 1-mile run and finishing first in the event … also won Indoor All-Conference USA - 2005 the 3000-meter event at the SEMO Triangular Invitational. Indoor All-Conference USA - 2007 High School: Four-year letterwinner at Rolling Meadows ... holds Outdoor All-Conference USA - 2005 the freshman, sophomore and senior class records for the 3200- Outdoor All-Conference USA - 2006 meter ... also holds the school record in the same event ... owns the senior class and indoor school record in the 1600-meter ... was an NCAA Outdoor Regional Qualifier - 2006 indoor and outdoor state 2003 qualifier ... team qualified for the NCAA Outdoor National Qualifier - 2006 4x800-meter relay in the 2000 state meet ... won the 1600-meters in the Senior Spotlight meet ... finished ninth in the 3200-meter run at 2007: Earned all-conference honors with a victory at the Conference the 2003 All-State meet ... also ran cross country ... member of the USA Indoor Championships in the 5,000-meter run with a time of National Honor Society, honor roll and yearbook staff ... won the 17:01.68, while also placing third in the 3,000 meters with a time of IHSA All-Academic Senior Athletic Award, as well as the Young 9:54.68, the fourth fastest time in school history … placed first in the Authors Award. 3,000 meters at the Indiana Open and the LSU Twilight Invitational … during the outdoor season, she placed second at the Austin Peay Personal: Full name is Elizabeth Jennifer Ambrus ... born Dec. 27, Spring Fling in the 10,000-meter run, a time (35:36.32) that remained 1984 ... daughter of Sandy and John Ambrus ... has one brother, the second fastest in the conference for the entire season and was John ... majoring in biology. UAB’s second fastest time in the event … missed the rest of the sea- son due to an injury. Ambrus’ Collegiate Bests Indoor Outdoor 2006: Excelled during her junior season, highlighted by qualifying for 800 meters ...... 2:28.65 1500 meters ...... 4:38.99 the NCAA National Championship meet in both the 5,000 and 10,000 Mile Run ...... 5:01.86 3000 meters ...... 10:08.60 meters ... qualified for the NCAA regional in the 5,000 meters at the 3000 meters ...... 9:43.45 5000 meters ...... 16:33.48 LSU Relays, where she set a new school record with a time of 5000 meters ...... 16:57.16 10,000 meters ...... 35:07.95 16:45.94 ... broke her own record in the 5,000 meters at the Drake Relays by running it in 16:33.48, which ranked in the top 10 times in the region and in the top 30 nationally ... automatically qualified for the NCAA national meet in the 10,000 meters at the Mt. SAC Relays Christina Chambers when she set a new school record with a time of 34:07.95 ... chose to compete in only the 10,000 meters at the NCAA championships, where she placed 23rd in the country with a time of 35:19.28 ... ran Sophomore a 35:39.04 in the 10,000 meters at the Conference USA champi- Sprints/Mid-Distance onships to win the league title ... was also part of the distance med- ley relay team that set a new school record with a time of 11:43.63 at the Drake Relays ... ran a 1500-meter season-best time of 4:39.67 Cullman, Ala. at Southern Miss where she earned a first place finish. Cullman HS

2005: Earned all-conference honors with a victory at the Conference UAB Blazers USA Indoor Championships in the 5,000 meters with a school record of 16:57.16 … named all-conference in the 3,000 meters following a 2007: Posted a season-best indoor performance for UAB in the 500- second-place finish at the C-USA Indoor Championships with a time meters with a time of 1:19.08 at the MEYO Invitational … took third of 9:48.30 … also named All-Conference USA at the C-USA Outdoor place at the LSU Relays in the 400 meters (1:04.33) … competed in 2008 Blazers Championships after finishing third in the 10,000 meters with a time sprints, hurdles, high jump, long jump and heptathlon. of 36.55.08, which was the fourth-fastest time in school history … set the UAB indoor record in the 3,000 meters twice … also set the High School: Attended Cullman High School in Cullman, Ala. just school outdoor record in the 5,000 meters at the National City north of Birmingham ... was versatile performer at Cullman ... won Invitational with a time of 16:54.57 … member of the distance med- state championship in 300-meter hurdles in 2006 ... was state run- ley relay team that set a school record during the indoor season and ner-up in the 100 hurdles and placed third in the 55 hurdles indoors won at two meets during the outdoor season … was a member of the ... also was state runner-up in 400-meter dash ... owns five school 4x1500-meter relay team that finished second at the Alabama records (55 hurdles, 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, 4x200 relay and Relays, running the second-fastest time in school history with a time 4x400 relay) at Cullman ... as a junior in 2005, she was state runner- of 19:15.84 … took first place in the 10,000 meters at the Alabama up in the 300-meter hurdles ... was third-place finisher in 300 hurdles Relays and ran the second-fastest time in school history with a in 2003 and '04 ... also earned all-state honors in cross country in 36:44.05. 2006 ... team captain in cross country as senior ... tabbed team's

2008 BLAZERS 7 UAB Track & Field

MVP in cross country four consecutive years ... five-year varsity let- finished third at the C-USA Indoor Championships and set a school terwinner in track and cross country ... was also an outstanding soc- record with a time of 3:40.58 ... set the school record in the indoor cer player at Cullman, earning all-state honors by The Birmingham 800 meters with a time of 2:07.70 at the Alex Wilson Invitational ... News ... named soccer team's MVP ... member of National Honor set school record in the outdoor 800 meters at the Coach O Society and Student Government Association. Invitational with a time of 2:11.38 ... member of the sprint medley relay team that finished first and set a school record at the Alabama Personal: Full name is Christina Nicole Chambers ... born Oct. 28, Relays with a time of 3:52.77 ... member of the 4x800-meter relay 1987 at Birmingham, Ala. ... daughter of Mary and Tim Chambers ... team that won at the Clemson Relays and set a school record of majoring in communications and marketing. 9:12.52 ... a member of the distance medley relay team that finished first at the Alabama and Clemson Relays and set the UAB indoor Chambers’ Collegiate Bests record at the Meyo Invitational with a time of 11:53.12 ... finished third overall in the Mile Run at the Saluki Booster Invitational with a Indoor Outdoor personal best, 5:05.20. 60-meter hurdles ...... 9.63 100-meter hurdles ...... 15.68 400 meters ...... 1:00.96 400-meter hurdles . . . . .1:03.92 500 meters ...... 1:19.08 Heptathlon ...... 3,661 2004: Named All-Conference USA at the C-USA Outdoor 800 meters ...... 2:29.95 Championships following a second-place finish in the 800 meters High Jump ...... 1.50m with a time of 2:13.63 ... set personal bests in the 600 meters at the Long Jump ...... 5.46m SEMO Triangular Invitational with the top time of 1:35.42 and the Pentathlon ...... 2,769 1500 meters at the Vanderbilt Invitational with a time of 4:46.49 ... set a school record, personal best and a UAB freshman record in the 800 meters at the Samford Twilight, running 2:11.96 to win the event Genoah Collins ... part of the 4x400-meter relay team that set a school record of 3:45.45 ... member of the sprint medley relay that set a school record of 3:57.07. Senior Mid-Distance High School: Attended J.O. Johnson High School in Huntsville, Ala. ... AHSAA state champion in the 400 and 800-meter dash during her senior year ... earned all-city, all-metro and all-area honors for the Huntsville, Ala. 800-meter dash and added all-state to the list in the 400-meters ... AHSAA state champion in the 400-meter and 800-meter dash during J.O. Johnson HS junior year ... won the 800-meter final by over 12 seconds ... earned Indoor All-Conference USA - 2005 all-city, all-metro, all-area and all-state honors in the 400-meters and 800-meters as a junior ... named team MVP as a junior ... was Indoor All-Conference USA - 2007 named an all-area performer in the 400 and 800-meters as a soph- Outdoor All-Conference USA - 2004 omore. NCAA Indoor Provisional Qualifier - 2005 Personal: Full name is Genoah Lynn Collins ... born Dec. 8, 1984 in NCAA Outdoor Regional Qualifier - 2006 Seattle, Wash. ... daughter of Lynn Douglas and Fleance Collins ... majoring in chemistry. 2007: Earned a first-place finish and all-conference honors at the Conference USA Indoor Championships as a member of the 4x400 Collins’ Collegiate Bests relay with a time of 3:44.7, the school's second fastest time in the Indoor Outdoor event … at the Niswonger Invitational, she captured first in the 800 600 meters ...... 1:35.42 400 meters ...... 57.83 meters with a time of 2:13.31 ... during the outdoor season, she won 800 meters ...... 2:07.70 800 meters ...... 2:09.24 the 800-meter run at the Austin Peay Spring Fling with a time of Mile Run ...... 5:05.20 1500 meters ...... 4:46.49 2:17.65 as well as placing first with both the 4x100 (47.61) and 4x400 relays (4:00.82) … at the LSU Relays, she was a member of the 4x800 relay that took first place and set a new UAB record with a time of 9:08.05.

2006: One of UAB's seven regional qualifiers during the outdoor sea- son, she set a school record and qualified for the NCAA regional meet in the 800 meters with a time of 2:09.24 at the Jace Lacoste Invitational, where she earned a first place finish ... continued her success as the Jace Lacoste Invitational by being a part of the 4x400 relay team that ran a season-best 3:42.73 and took home a first- place finish ... ran on the distance medley squad that shattered the school record by more than six seconds with a time of 11:43.63 at the Drake Relays ... finished in fifth at the Conference USA Outdoor Championships by clocking an 800 meter time of 2:13.76.

2005: Named all-conference in the 800 meters after finishing third at the Conference USA Indoor Championships with an NCAA Championships provisional qualifying times of 2:08.75 ... also named All-Conference USA for her role on the 4x400-meter relay team that 2008 Blazers

8 2008 BLAZERS UAB Track & Field

Championships and set a school record with a time of 3:47.06 ... set Tara Colvin a freshman record in the outdoor 400 meters and ran an NCAA Regional Championship qualifying time at the Conference USA Outdoor Championships with a time of 53.85 ... set the school record Senior in the indoor 400 meters with a time of 56.40 at the C-USA Sprints Championships ... was a member of the 4x400-meter relay team that set the school record of 3:40.58 and qualified for the NCAA Regional Championships at the C-USA Outdoor Championships and that ran Tuscaloosa, Ala. four of the top-five indoor times and the top-five outdoor times in North Ridge HS school history ... anchored the sprint medley relay team that set a school record at the Alabama Relays and finished first in the event Indoor All-Conference USA - 2005 with a time of 3:52.77.

Indoor All-Conference USA - 2006 High School: Attended Central High School and Northridge High Indoor All-Conference USA - 2007 School in Tuscaloosa, Ala. ... won 5A state championship in the 400- NCAA Outdoor Regional Qualifier - 2005 meter dash in both indoor and outdoor as a senior at Northridge ... won 5A Indoor State Championship in the 800-meter run as a sen- NCAA Outdoor Regional Qualifier - 2006 ior. NCAA Outdoor Regional Qualifier - 2007 Personal: Full name is Tara Colvin ... born Oct. 15, 1985 in 2007: Earned two indoor All-Conference USA honors and set the Tuscaloosa, Ala. ... daughter of Alfred and Shirley Colvin ... has one two fastest times in the 400-meter race … ran the final leg of the brother, Lamarcus ... major is community health. 4x400-meter relay team that finished first and recorded the second fastest time in school history at the conference meet at 3:44.77 … Colvin’s Collegiate Bests also named All-Conference USA for her role on the second-place Indoor Outdoor distance medley team (11:46.80), which set a new school record at 200 meters ...... 25.78 200 meters ...... 24.28 the conference championship … set four new school records during 300 meters ...... 39.59 400 meters ...... 53.85 the indoor season … individually she set new school records in the 400 meters ...... 55.49 300 and 400 meters, and two relay records in the 4x400-meter relay 500 meters ...... 1:13.43 and the distance medley relay … finished 20th in the 400-meter run 800 meters ...... 2:12.18 (55.63) at the Outdoor NCAA Mideast Regional meet … recorded the top three best performances in the 400-meter dash during the indoor season … top time was 55.49 in the event … ran the final leg Katrina Harrell of the 4x400-meter relay team that took first at the Indiana Opener … distance medley team took first at Niswonger Invitational … fin- ished fourth in the 400-meter race (54.50) at the C-USA Outdoor Sophomore Championships had the fifth fastest time in the conference at the Sprints end of the season … had the top three best performance in the 400- meter dash … helped capture first in the 4x100-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay at the Austin Peay Spring Fling … was a member Birmingham, Ala. of the three relay teams to place that earned top-three finishes at the Erwin HS LSU Relays, including first in the distance medley relay, second in the sprint medley relay, and third in the 4x400 relay … third-place UAB Blazers finish in the 400-meter dash at the Mississippi Open … member 4x100 relay team and 4x400 relay team that placed in the second 2007: Participated in the 60-meter dash and 200 meters during the and third respectively at the Auburn Invitational. indoor season, with both of her best performances coming at the Indiana Opener … posted an eighth-place performance (7.88) in the 2006: Set multiple school records and earned All-Conference USA 60-meter dash and a sixth-place performance in the 200-meter dash during her sophomore season ... finished third in the 400 meters (25.67) … finished 12th in the 60-meter dash at the Meyo (55.81) at the Conference USA Indoor Championships to earn a spot Invitational and 15th in the 200-meter dash … had another strong on the all-conference squad ... broke two indoor school records at race in the 60-meter dash at the LSU Twilight Meet by placing 10th the Meyo Invitational on February 3-4, including the 500 meters with ... had a strong start to her outdoor season with a third-place finish a time of 1:13.43 and her own previous record in the 400 meters with in the 100-meter dash and a fourth-place finish in the 200-meter 2008 Blazers a time of 55.65 ... was a member of three relay teams that earned dash at the Austin Peay Spring Fling … ran the final leg of the 4x100 top-three finishes at the LSU Relays, including second in the sprint relay team that placed third (46.63) and ran the first leg of the sprint medley (3:57.92), second in the distance medley (11:51.43) and medley relay that finished second and tied the mark for the second third in the 4x800 (9:16.41) ... was a member of the 4x100 and fastest time in school history (3:45.62) at the LSU Relays. 4x400 relay teams that both took first place and set season-best times at the Jace Lacoste Invitational with marks of 46.19 and High School: Was a two-sport athlete at Erwin High School in 3:42.73 respectively ... second in the 400 meters at the Old Miss Birmingham, lettering in both track & field and volleyball ... helped Invitational, running a time of 55.23 ... qualified for the NCAA her track team win a state championship during the 2004 season ... Mideast Regional meet in the 400 meters with a season-best time of earned the division track & field MVP award in 2005 ... listed on 53.96 at the Jace Lacoste Invitational. Who's Who Among American High School Students ... also a mem- ber of Mu Alpha Theta. 2005: Earned all-conference honors following her role on the 4x400- meter relay team that finished third at the Conference USA Indoor

2008 BLAZERS 9 UAB Track & Field

Personal: Full name is Katrina Latrice Harrell ... daughter of Alfreda Hilligoss’ Collegiate Bests and Roddrick Harrell ... born on January 10, 1988 ... majoring in Indoor Outdoor accounting. 3000 meters ...... 10:00.67 5000 meters ...... 17:50.14 5000 meters ...... 17:13.80 Harrell’s Collegiate Bests Indoor Outdoor 60 meters ...... 7.77 100 meters ...... 12.20 Kendel Hood 200 meters ...... 25.19 200 meters ...... 25.21 Sophomore Elizabeth Hilligoss Distance

Senior Spring, Texas Distance Klein Collins HS Indoor All-Conference USA - 2007 Houston, Texas Stratford HS 2007: Earned indoor all-conference honors by helping UAB place second in the distance medley relay, which also established a new UAB Blazers school-record time of 11:46.80 … broke the freshman indoor-mile record (5:07.65) run at the Meyo Invitational … participated in the 2007: Posted the second and third fastest times in the 3,000 and mile run at the conference meet … captured first-place in the mile 5,000-meter runs for UAB during the indoor season … placed sec- run at the Clemson Opener (5:18.19) … placed third in the 800- ond in the 3,000-meter run (10:35.37) at the Clemson Opener and meter run at the Niswonger Invitational (2:23.08) … during the out- third in the 5,000-meter run (17:37.37) … was the Blazers top fin- door season, helped UAB place first and set a new school-record in isher in the 3,000-meter run at the Meyo Invitational … at the C- the 4x800 relay (9:08.05) at the LSU Relays, which also placed first USA Indoor Championship finished fourth in the 5,000-meter run … help the distance medley relay team set the second-fastest time (17:13.80) and ninth in the 3,000-meter run (10:04.66) … did not in school history (11:46.25) at the Florida Relays … recorded the participate in the outdoor season. second fastest time of the outdoor season in the 1,500-meter run (4:43.43) … participated in the 1,500-meter race the C-USA Outdoor 2006: One of UAB's top distance runners, particularly in the 5000 Championships. meters ... had an indoor season-best time of 18:18.37 in the 5000 meters at the Clemson Opener ... set a new outdoor career-high in High School: Attended Klein Collins High School in Spring, Texas ... the 5000 meters on two occasions during the 2006 season ... origi- qualified for cross country regionals four consecutive years ... also nally surpassed her career-best at the Ole Miss Invitational with a qualified for state meet as a junior ... in track, she was regional qual- time of 17:50.14 to place third ... improved her career-best time in ifier as freshman, junior and senior ... set school records in the 1600, the 5000 meters again at Western Kentucky by clocking a time of 3200, 4x800 relay and distance medley relay ... coached by Mike Del 17:25.52 to claim first place at the event ... ran an 18:34.91 at the Donno. Conference USA Outdoor Championships to finish eighth. Personal: Full name is Kendel Hood ... born March 6, 1988 at 2005: Set a UAB freshman record in her sixth-place finish in the Bellevue, Wash. ... daughter of Karen and Kenneth Hood ... major- 3000 meters at the C-USA Indoor Championships, posting a time of ing in chemistry. 10:03.00 ... also set the UAB freshman record and ran the fourth- fastest time in school history in the 5000-meter run at the C-USA Hood’s Collegiate Bests Indoor Championships, finishing sixth with a time of 17:23.09, which was the third-best time on the team ... a member of the 4x1500- Indoor Outdoor meter relay that ran the second-fastest time in school history and 800 meters ...... 2:23.08 800 meters ...... 2:21.92 finished second at the Alabama Relays, posting a time of 19:15.84 Mile Run ...... 5:07.85 1500 meters ...... 4:43.43 ... took first place in the 5000-meter run at the Houston Cougar Opener, running an 18:32.24 ... finished second at the Saluki Booster Invitational, with a 3000-meter time of 10:20.14 ... had a strong indoor campaign before redshirting for the outdoor season.

High School: Attended Stratford High School in Houston, Texas ... a district champion in the 3200-meter run in 2002 and 2004 as well as in the 1600-meter run in 2004 ... set a school record for the 3200- meter run in 2004 with an 11:09.2 time ... was named team MVP for the 2002-04 seasons ... also a member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Full name is Elizabeth Hilligoss ... born March 11, 1985 in The Woodlands, Texas ... daughter of Ed and Denise Hilligoss ... has two sisters, Emily and Carrie ... is related to Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson ... majoring in political science. 2008 Blazers

10 2008 BLAZERS UAB Track & Field

the mile run (5:03.56) at the LSU Twilight … finished in second place Katie Horton in the mile run at Niswonger Invitational and fifth in the event at the Indiana Opener … participated in the mile run at the Meyo Invitational … during the outdoor season, posted the best perform- Sophomore ance time in three events including the 1,500-meter run, 5,000- Mid-Distance meter run and the 3,000-meter steeplechase … earned all-confer- ence honors with a first-place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (10:46.08) at the C-USA Outdoor Championship … placed first and Jasper, Ala. recorded a season-best time of 17:22.24 in the 5,000-meter run at Walker HS the Austin Peay Spring Fling … placed first in the 1,500-meter run at the Billy Hayes Invitational (4:36.53) … won the 3,000-meter stee- UAB Blazers plechase at the LSU Relays … also ran the second leg of the 4x800 relay team that recorded the second fastest time in school history 2007: Competed in one meet during the outdoor season, placing (9:08.05) … was a member of the second-place distance medley seventh in the 1,500-meter run (5:25.11) at the Gem of the Hills relay teamat the Florida Relays (11:46.25). Invitational. 2006: Earned all-conference honors in the 3000-meter steeplechase High School: Attended Walker High School in nearby Jasper, Ala., by placing second at the Conference USA Outdoor Championships just north of Birmingham ... was state qualifier in cross country from with a time of 11:06.31 ... set a new school record and qualified for 2000-05 ... also qualified for state championships in track and field the NCAA Regional meet at the LSU Relays by posting a time of in 4x800, 4x400 and triple jump in 2005 ... earned all-state acco- 10:42.32 in the steeplechase, placing her first at that meet ... also lades in 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2005) ... was tabbed to The garnered a first-place finish in the steeplechase at the first outdoor Birmingham News all-metro second girls cross country team ... meet of the season at Southern Miss by clocking a time of 11:29.45 coached by Lance Archer ... member of National Honor Society and ... ran a personal-best 17:53.50 in the 5000 meters at Western was also Birmingham News Scholar-Athlete of the Week recipient. Kentucky to take third place ... also set a new personal-best in the 1500 meters at Western Kentucky with a time of 4:50.61, earning her Personal: Full name is Katherine Nicole Horton ... born May 23, second place in that event. 1988 at Jasper, Ala. ... daughter of Pat and Kenny Horton ... major- ing in early childhood education. 2005: Named All-Conference USA following a third-place finish in the 3000-meter steeplechase with an NCAA Regional Horton’s Collegiate Bests Championships qualifying time of 10:45.60, which was also the UAB and freshman record ... took ninth place at the NCAA Regional Outdoor Championships in the 3000-meter steeplechase with a 10:52.16, the 800 meters ...... 2:29.67 second-fastest time in school history ... a part of the distance med- 1500 meters ...... 5:01.02 ley relay team that helped UAB to its best finish ever at the C-USA Indoor championships by finishing fourth, posting an 11:58.75, which is the third-fastest time in school history ... also part of the distance Whitney Mays medley relay team that finished first at the Alabama Relays and the Clemson Relays and ran the fourth- and fifth-fastest outdoor times in school history ... part of the 4x1500-meter relay team that ran a Senior 19:15.84, the second-fastest time in school history, in a second- Distance place finish at the Alabama Relays and posted a 19:26.11 in a sec- ond-place finish at the Clemson Relays, the fourth-fastest time in school history. Bloomington, Ill. Bloomington HS High School: Attended Bloomington High School in Bloomington, Ill. ... a four-year letterwinner for coaches Aaron Culbertson and John Indoor All-Conference USA - 2007 Szabo ... placed 11th in the 1600-meter run with a time of 5:11 in the Illinois state track meet ... was also on the cross country team, Outdoor All-Conference USA - 2005 cheerleading squad and the dance team. Outdoor All-Conference USA - 2006 Outdoor All-Conference USA - 2007 Personal: Full name is Whitney Mays ... born July 18, 1986 in Bloomington, Ill. ... parents are Bill Mays and Nancy Mays ... has two NCAA Outdoor Regional Qualifier - 2005 younger sisters, Mackenzie and Taylor ... major is sociology. 2008 Blazers NCAA Outdoor Regional Qualifier - 2006 NCAA Outdoor Regional Qualifier - 2007 Mays’ Collegiate Bests Indoor Outdoor 2007: Received two all-conference honors during the indoor and Mile Run ...... 5:00.71 800 meters ...... 2:22.81 outdoor season … anchored the distance medley relay team that 1000 meters ...... 3:00.12 1500 meters ...... 4:36.53 3000 meters ...... 10:10.18 3000 meters ...... 10:26.45 placed second at the C-USA Indoor Championship, and also set a 3000-meter steeplechase .10:31.90 new school record (11:46.80) … also posted the second-fastest time 5000 meters ...... 17:22.24 (5:00.75) in UAB history in the one-mile run, which was good for sev- enth place … ran a 10:46.89 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase for 12th-place at the Outdoor NCAA Mideast Regional Meet … posted the two fastest times in the mile run during the indoor season … won

2008 BLAZERS 11 UAB Track & Field

Timara McMillan Kristina Olsen

Sophomore Sophomore Sprints/Hurdles Distance

Birmingham, Ala. Jackson, Mich. Vestavia Hills HS Jackson HS UAB Blazers UAB Blazers

2007: Placed fifth in the long jump (5.00m) at the Niswonger 2007: Broke the freshman records for the 5,000- and 10,000-meter Invitational, while also participating in the 60-meter dash, 200-meter runs … won the 5,000-meter run at the LSU relays and also posted dash, 800-meter dash and 60-meter hurdles … scored 2,985 points a freshman record-time of 17:56.60 in the event … set the 10,000- to break the freshman pentathlon record at the C-USA Indoor meter mark at the Austin Peay Spring Fling, placing third and finish- Championship, as well as compete in the 60-meter hurdles … ing with a time of 37:35.46 … both times were UAB's third fastest in placed eighth in the 60-meter hurdles at the Indiana Opener (9.60) each event … placed second in the one-mile run (5:10.86) at the … had an indoor best of 5.21 meters in the long jump at the LSU LSU Twilight Meet … recorded a third-place finish in the 3,000- Twilight Meet … participated in two events at the Meyo Invitational meter run at the Indiana Opener … had a 12th-place finish and … recorded the outdoor best in the high jump (1.49m) and placed 14th-place finish in the 3,000- and 5,000-meter runs, respectively, second at the Austin Peay Spring Fling … placed fifth in the 100- at the C-USA Indoor Championship … finished eighth in the 5,000- meter hurdles (15.38) and ran on the 4x100 relay and 4x400 relay meter run at the Niswonger Invitational … participated at the Meyo teams that placed second at the Austin Peay Spring Fling … had Invitational … finished eighth in the 10,000-meter run and 20th in top-15 finishes in the 100-meter hurdles and long jump at the LSU the 5,000-meter run at the C-USA Outdoor Championship … had an Relays … scored 4,083 points to place 10th in the heptathlon at the eighth-place finish in the 5,000-meter run at the Florida Relays. LSU Combined Events. High School: Attended Jackson High School in Jackson, Mich. ... High School: Attended Vestavia Hills High School where she was earned numerous accolades in track and cross country during her a standout in track ... helped her squad to a indoor championship in prep career ... earned all-state honors and was a state qualifier four 2005 ... won the MVP at the Grissom track meet as a freshman in years in 3,200-meter run ... member of conference champion 3,200- 2003 ... finished third in the state in the long jump in 2005 ... consis- meter relay team ... garnered all-state recognition on 3,200-meter tently finished among the tops in the state of Alabama in the hurdles relay ... holds school record in 3,200 and also as a member of 3,200 events throughout high school ... graduated high school with an relay ... in cross country, she earned all-state honors three years advanced academic diploma. and was a state qualifier four years ... was tabbed for first-team all- conference honors four years ... served as team captain. Personal: Full name is Timara Christan McMillan ... daughter of Ava Hopkins and Timothy McMillan ... born on February 15, 1988 in Personal: Born May 14, 1988 at Jackson, Mich. ... daughter of Manhattan, New York ... majoring in biology. Carrie Schupbach and Brian Olsen ... has a younger sister, Hanna ... majoring in pre-business. McMillan’s Collegiate Bests Olsen’s Collegiate Bests Indoor Outdoor 60-meter hurdles ...... 9.25 100-meter hurdles ...... 15.38 Indoor Outdoor 200 meters ...... 26.77 200 meters ...... 26.41 Mile Run ...... 5:10.86 5000 meters ...... 17:56.60 300 meters ...... 42.37 High Jump ...... 1.49m 3000 meters ...... 10:19.58 10000 meters ...... 37:35.46 800 meters ...... 2:48.24 Long Jump ...... 5.38m 5000 meters ...... 18:23.23 Shot Put ...... 8.31m Heptathlon ...... 4,083 Long Jump ...... 5.38m Pentathlon ...... 2,985 2008 Blazers

12 2008 BLAZERS UAB Track & Field

Tracy Rowan Rowan’s Collegiate Bests Indoor Outdoor 500 meters ...... 1:22.89 200 meters ...... 28.07 Senior 800 meters ...... 2:20.77 800 meters ...... 2:21.00 1000 meters ...... 3:07.52 100-meter hurdles ...... 17.80 Multi 55-meter hurdles ...... 10.21 400-meter hurdles . . . . .1:08.00 60-meter hurdles ...... 10.56 Shot Put ...... 8.28m High Jump ...... 1.57m Long Jump ...... 4.96m Birmingham, Ala. Long Jump ...... 4.80m High Jump ...... 1.47m Clay-Chalkville HS Pentathlon ...... 2,944 Heptathlon ...... 3,708 UAB Blazers Erika Russ 2007: Set the two highest marks in the high jump during the indoor season … cleared 1.52 meters in the high jump at the LSU Twilight Meet to placed fifth … at the Indiana Opener cleared 1.50 meters for Senior a sixth-place finish in the high jump and also placed fourth in the Hurdles 800-meter dash (2:29.30) … competed in the 200-meter dash and 60-meter hurdles at the Niswonger Invitational … also competed at the Meyo Invitational in the 500-meter dash and 60-meter hurdles … Hoover, Ala. scored 2,494 points in the pentathlon at the C-USA Indoor Championships … during the outdoor season, had three of the top Hoover HS four heights in the high jump … season-best performance in the high jump was 1.47 meters at the Billy Hayes Invitational … placed third Indoor All-Conference USA - 2007 in the event and sixth in the 400-meter hurdles at the Austin Peay Spring Fling … finished sixth in the high jump (1.45m) and tenth in 2007: Earned all-conference honors in the 60-meter hurdles, with a the 400-meter hurdles (1:13.28) at the Gem of the Hills Invitational third-place finish (8.66) at the C-USA Indoor Championships … had … cleared 1.45 meters at the Mississippi Open in the high jump. the three fastest times in the 60-meter hurdles … finished third at the LSU Twilight Meet in the 60-meter hurdles … had two third-place fin- 2006: Clocked an indoor 800-meter time of 2:20.93 at the Meyo ish at the Indiana Opener, in the 60-meter hurdles and 4x400 relay Invitational, which was the team's third-best time of the season ... team, also placed eighth in the 200-meter dash … competed in the ran a personal-best 3:07.52 in the 1000 meters at the Meyo 200-meter dash at the Meyo Invitational … had UAB's third fastest Invitational as well ... finished the 400-meter hurdles in 1:13.31 at time in the 100-meter dash during the outdoor season … placed the LSU Relays to finish 11th ... tallied a personal-best 3,708 points second in the 400-meter hurdles (1:05.50) and sixth in the 100- in the heptathlon at the Conference USA Outdoor Championships to meter hurdles (14.84) at the Mississippi Open … posted a fifth-place take ninth place. finish in the 100-meter hurdles (14.80) at the Billy Hayes Invitational … placed 23rd at the Florida Relays in the 100-meter hurdles 2005: Had the fourth-best jump in the high jump in school history at (14.62) … ran in the 100-meter hurdles and 400-meter hurdles at the the Saluki Booster Indoor Invitational, with a mark of 1.57m (5-01) ... C-USA Outdoor Championship. finished seventh with a personal-best score of 2,944 points at the Clemson Pentathlon ... ran a personal-best time of 2:24.26 in the 2006: Started off the indoor season with a team season-best time of 800 meters at the National City Invitational, placing ninth ... took 42.25 in the 60-meter hurdles at the Clemson Opener ... ran an ninth in the heptathlon at the Alabama Relays, with a personal-best indoor personal-best 42.25 in the 300 meters at the Meyo score of 3,198 ... finished 12th in the pentathlon at the C-USA Indoor Invitational ... clocked a personal and season-best 14.44 in the 100- Championships with a total of 2,757 points ... had a personal best in meter hurdles at the LSU Relays ... finished first in the 400-meter the long jump at the Jace Lacoste Invitational with a mark of 17.80 hurdles at the Jace Lacoste Invitational with a time of 1:03.62 ... took ... a member of the 4x800-meter relay team that finished sixth at the second at Western Kentucky with a 400-meter hurdles time of Alabama Relays, helping the Blazers win the meet. 1:05.38 ... finished in sixth place at the Conference USA Outdoor Championships with a time of 1:05.68. High School: Attended Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson, Ala. ... a three-year state qualifier ... county champion in the 300-meter 2005: A member of the 4x100-meter shuttle hurdle relay team that hurdles in 2001 and 2004 ... also county champion in high jump and set a school record in its second-place finish at the Alabama Relays with a time of 56.96 ... also a member of the 4x100-meter relay team

triple jump in 2004 and the 4x400-meter relay in 2001 ... was a 2008 Blazers member of the National Honor Society and was a Birmingham News that finished second at the Clemson Relays with a time of 46.05 ... Scholar Athlete. ran a personal best of 8.23 in the 55-meter hurdles at the Houston Cougar Indoor Opener, finishing 11th out of 33 ... finished 13th in the Personal: Full name is Tracy Rowan ... born April 12, 1986 in 60-meter hurdles at the Conference USA Indoor Championships Winston Salem, N.C. ... daughter of Allen and Donna Rowan ... has with a personal best time of 9.01 ... had a personal best in the 100- a younger sister, Jaimie ... majoring in history. meter hurdles at the C-USA Outdoor Championships, where she ran a 14.84 ... also had a personal best of 1:04.45 at the C-USA Outdoor Championships in the 400-meter hurdles.

High School: Attended Hoover High School in Hoover, Ala. ... was a 10-time state champion in indoor and outdoor track in the 55-meter hurdles, 100-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles ... was named 2004 Hoover High School Female Athlete of the Year ... school

2008 BLAZERS 13 UAB Track & Field

record holder for the 55-meter hurdles, 100-meter hurdles, 300- senior year ... state runner-up in outdoor triple jump in senior season meter hurdles, 4x100-meter relay, and the 4x200-meter relay ... also ... received outstanding athlete honors from Montbello ... graduated a member of the National Honor Society. with honors ... also played volleyball ... was a member of the Denver Educational Excellence Program ... received academic honors and Personal: Full name is Erika Russ ... born Oct. 26, 1985 in was a member of the athletic academic honor roll all four years of Birmingham, Ala. ... daughter of Mixon and Lynn Russ ... has an high school. older sister, Sheneka Hall ... majoring in early childhood education. Personal: Full name is Penny Renae Shields ... born March 30, Russ’ Collegiate Bests 1985 in Tampa, Fla. ... is married to former UAB football player Nigel Eldridge … has a one-year old son, Nigel Eldridge Jr. … parents are Indoor Outdoor Sandra and Kenneth Shields ... one sister, Samantha ... sister 55-meter hurdles ...... 8.23 100 meters ...... 12.57 Samantha runs at UCF … majoring in communications studies. 60-meter hurdles ...... 8.66 100-meter hurdles ...... 14.44 60 meters ...... 7.81 400-meter hurdles . . . . .1:03.62 200 meters ...... 25.38 Shields’ Collegiate Bests 300 meters ...... 42.25 Indoor Outdoor 400 meters ...... 1:01.85 55 meters ...... 7.56 200 meters ...... 25.93 Shot Put ...... 8.82m 55-meter hurdles ...... 10.42 Long Jump ...... 5.22m High Jump ...... 1.57m Triple Jump ...... 12.45m Long Jump ...... 5.15m High Jump ...... 1.63m Penny Shields Triple Jump ...... 12.41m Pentathlon ...... 2,557 pts Senior Sprints/Jumps

Denver, Colo. Montbello HS Indoor All-Conference USA - 2006 NCAA Outdoor Regional Qualifier - 2006

2007: Did not compete in any events during the indoor or outdoor seasons.

2006: Earned all-conference honors by placing third in the triple jump at the C-USA Indoor Championships with a mark of 12.41 meters ... had an outdoor regional qualifying mark of 12.36 meters in the triple jump at the LSU Relays, where she place third ... also set a personal and season-best mark of 1.63 meters in the high jump at LSU ... took fifth in the triple jump at the C-USA Outdoor Championships by jumping a personal-best 12.45 meters.

2005: Had a personal best in the triple jump at the National City Outdoor Invitational, where she finished second with a mark of 11.96m (39-3) ... had the fourth highest mark in school history in the high jump at the Saluki Booster Indoor Invitational, where she jumped 1.57m (5-1) ... finished seventh in the triple jump at the C- USA Outdoor Championships with a mark of 11.79m (38-08 1/4) ... also finished seventh in the triple jump at the C-USA Indoor Championships with a mark of 11.62m (38-01) ... scored a personal best at the Clemson Pentathlon with a total of 2,557 points ... jumped a personal best 11.80m (38-08) in the triple jump at the Clemson Tiger Indoor Invitational, where she finished fourth.

2004: Set a personal best in the indoor 55 meters with 7.70 at the Saluki Booster Invitational ... ran a personal best of 25.93 in the 200 meters at the Ole Miss Invitational ... had a personal best in the long jump of 5.15m at the ASU Invitational ... had a top mark and person- al best in the indoor triple jump of 11.78m at the Saluki Booster Invitational.

High School: Attended Montbello High School in Denver, Colo. ... member of the Colorado state championship team ... ranked fifth in the nation in the indoor triple jump ... high school All-American in 2008 Blazers

14 2008 BLAZERS UAB Track & Field

Katryce Sykes Alina Varpiotaite

Sophomore Junior Sprints/Hurdles 400/800

Portsmouth, Va. Klaipeda, Lithuania Warwick HS Vytautas Didysis UAB Blazers Indoor All-Conference USA - 2007 Outdoor All-Conference USA - 2007 2007: Did not race in any events during the indoor and outdoor sea- sons … received a redshirt. NCAA Outdoor Regional Qualifier - 2007

2006: Had a successful freshman season as a Blazer, setting the 2007: Received three all-conference honors during the indoor sea- UAB indoor freshman record in the pentathlon with 2,894 points ... son and one all-conference honor in the outdoor season … broke also had a multiple personal-bests at the first indoor meet of the the outdoor record in the 800-meter run (2:08.90) at the NCAA year, the Clemson Opener, with career-high marks in the shot put Mideast Regional Meet … was the second-place finisher in the 800- (6.42m), long jump (5.18m) and the triple jump (11.31m) ... finished meter run with a time of 2:10.78 at the C-USA Indoor Championship ninth in the heptathlon at the Alabama Relays with a point total of … was a member of the 4x400 relay team that placed first, with the 4,031 ... placed sixth in the heptathlon at the Conference USA school’s second fastest time (3:44.75) in the event … also helped Outdoor Championships with a career-best 4,179 points ... also the distance medley relay team finish second and set a new school clocked a personal-best time of 1:03.36 in the preliminaries of the record (11:46.80) … posted a second-place finish in the 800-meter 400-meter hurdles at the C-USA Outdoor Championships, placing run (2:14.64) at the Indiana Opener, and also helped the 4x400 relay seventh in the finals with a time of 1:13.27. team place first … helped the distance medley relay to a first-place at the Niswonger Invitational, and ran second-leg of the 4x400 relay High School: Attended Warwick High School in Newport News, Va., team that placed second and established a new school record where she ran four years for coach Wendell Kirk Holmes ... finished (3:44.07) … placed fourth in the 400-meter dash at the LSU Twilight 21st out of 140 in the state 300-meter hurdles ... finished 30 out of Meet … during the outdoor season earned all-conference honors in 101 in the state triple jump ... a member of the 4x400-meter relay the 800-meter dash, where she posted the top time (2:09.87) … also team that won their heat at the Penn Relays in 2004 and '05 ... also helped two relay teams post the top performances times during the played varsity basketball ... a member of the National Honor Society, outdoor season … placed first in 1,500-meter run (4:44.65) at the the National Honor Roll and the National Society of High School Austin Peay Spring Fling and ran the third leg of the 4x100 (47.61) Scholars. and 4x400 (4:00.82) relays that both finished first … ran of three relay teams at the LSU Relays, including the 4x800 relay team that Personal: Full name is Katryce A'Lita Sykes ... born June 18, 1987 set a new school-record with a time of (9:08.05) … placed third in in Newport News, Va. ... parents are Karen and Larry Sykes ... major the 800-meter run (2:09.99) and helpled the 4x400 relay team place is biology. second at the Auburn Invitational … placed third in the 400-meter run at the Billy Hayes Invitational (56.44). Sykes’ Collegiate Bests Indoor Outdoor 2006: Became a standout on the squad during her first year as a 60-meter hurdles ...... 13.46 400-meter hurdles . . . . .1:03.36 Blazer ... set the indoor freshman records in both the 500 meters Shot Put ...... 6.42m Long Jump ...... 5.24m and the 800 meters at the Meyo Invitational with times of 1:14.90 Long Jump ...... 5.18m Triple Jump ...... 11.32m and 2:13.90, respectively ... also set the outdoor freshman record in Triple Jump ...... 11.31m Heptathlon ...... 4,179 the 800-meter run at the Jace Lacoste Invitational by finishing in Pentathlon ...... 2,894 2:10.78 ... also was a vital part of UAB’s relay success, running on the distance medley relay squad that broke the school record with a time of 11:43.63 ... also was a member of the sprint medley relay team that clocked the second-fastest time in school history at 3:55.23. 2008 Blazers High School: Ran for coach Roma Bersinskas for five years at Vytautas Didysis Gymnasium in Klaipeda, Lithuania ... took third place in the 800 meters in at the 2005 Lithuanian Championships ... won the 400-meter dash at the 2004 Baltic match during the indoor season ... finished third in the 800 and 400 meters at the 2004 Lithuanian Adult Competition.

Personal: Full name is Alina Varpiotaite ... born Oct, 6, 1985 in Klaipeda, Lithuania ... daughter of Remigija and Vidas Varpiotaite ... has a sister, Vitoloa ... majoring in business.

2008 BLAZERS 15 UAB Track & Field

Varpiotaite’s Collegiate Bests Thela Woodring Indoor Outdoor 400 meters ...... 56.75 400 meters ...... 56.44 500 meters ...... 1:14.90 800 meters ...... 2:09.70 Sophomore 800 meters ...... 2:10.78 1500 meters ...... 4:44.56 Distance

Amber Walker Anderson, S.C. T.L. Hanna HS Sophomore UAB Blazers Sprints 2007: Participated in three meets in the indoor season and one out- Flower Mound, Texas door meet … placed 10th in the 3,000-meter run at the Indiana Opener (11:51.83) … posted a 13th place finish at the LSU Twilight Lewisville HS Meet in the 3,000-meter run … at her only outdoor meet, placed 13th in the 5,000-meter run at the Gem of the Hills Invitational UAB Blazers (21:12.77).

2007: Recorded UAB's fastest time and set the freshman record High School: Attended T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, S.C. (42.11) in the indoor 300-meter dash at the Meyo Invitational … fin- ... earned all-state cross country honors as a senior ... was school’s ished ninth at in the 400-meter dash (1:00.40) at the LSU Twilight most valuable runner in cross country for six years ... earned all- Meet … posted a fourth-place performance in the 400-meter dash region honors for four years in cross country ...finished 10th in state and helped UAB win the 4x800 relay at the Indiana Opener (3:48.66) cross country championships in 2005 ... named track team’s most … ran the second-leg of the distance medley that posted the fastest valuable distance runner for three consecutive years ... all-region in time (11:46.25) during the outdoor season … helped guide the 4x100 track for two years ... set school record in 1600-meter record ... and 4x400 relay teams to first-place finishes at the Austin Peay named a South Carolina Shrine Bowl runner ... coached by Chuck Spring Fling … also finished third in the 400-meter dash … anchored Parker ... member of National Honor Society, Spanish Club and 4x400 relay team that placed 10th at the Auburn Invitational … had FCA. a 14th-place finish in the 400-meter dash and competed in the 200- meter dash at the Mississippi Open. Personal: Full name is Thela Nicole Woodring ... born Aug. 7, 1988 at Dalton, Ga. ... daughter of Pat and Chuck Woodring ... majoring High School: Attended Lewisville High School in Lewisville, Texas ... in biology. was a three-sport athlete for the Fighting Farmers, lettering in bas- ketball, volleyball and track & field ... was on her squad’s 4x400 relay Woodring’s Collegiate Bests team that placed fifth at the 2005 Texas Relays with a time of 3:54.05 Indoor Outdoor ... also on the 4x400 relay team that took fifth at the Texas regional 3000 meters ...... 11:51.83 5000 meters ...... 21:12.77 in 2005 ... excelled in basketball as well, ranking 85th in the state of Texas on Rivals.com ... was a member of the National Honor Society, as well as being listed on the Who’s Who Among American High School Students.

Personal: Full name is Amber Patrice Walker ... born on May 21, 1988 in Houston, Texas ... daughter of Manuel and Patricia Walker ... majoring in nursing.

Walker’s Collegiate Bests Indoor Outdoor 200 meters ...... 26.50 200 meters ...... 26.26 300 meters ...... 42.11 400 meters ...... 59.53 400 meters ...... 1:00.02 2008 Blazers

16 2008 BLAZERS UAB Track & Field

Janelle Gaines Samantha Hamilton

Freshman Freshman Hurdles Jumps/Hurdles

Brookfield, Ill. Killeen, Texas Lyons Township HS C.E. Ellison HS UAB Blazers UAB Blazers

High School: Attended Lyons Township High School in La Grange, High School: Competed at C.E. Ellison High School in Killeen, Ill. … finished sixth in 55-meter hurdles at the 2006 state indoor Texas during her prep career … was the district champion in five dif- championship meet … was the conference champion in 100-meter ferent events as a freshman … district champion in four events dur- hurdles in 2005 … qualified for the state meet for three years in 100- ing her junior year … 12th grade district champion in two events meter hurdles … lettered all four years on the varsity track team. …Texas Relays high school champion in 2006 in the triple jump … ranked first in Texas in triple jump … ranked 12th in the nation in Personal: Full name is Janelle Louise Gaines … born August 17, triple jump … helped her team to district championships in 2004 and 1988 in Fort Wayne, Ind. … daughter of Jacqueline Loving and 2005. Michael Gaines … plans to major in health science and minor in chemistry. Personal: Full name is Samantha Bernice Hamilton … born October 30, 1988 in Killeen, Texas … daughter of late Antionette D. Hamilton and late Kenneth Johnson … majoring in communications.

Stephanie Gammon Veronica Johnson

Freshman Freshman Distance Sprints

Central, S.C. Birmingham, Ala. Daniel HS A.H. Parker HS UAB Blazers UAB Blazers

High School: State champion in the 3,200-meter run in 2005 and High School: Attended A.H. Parker High School in Birmingham, 2007 … never finished below fourth in the 1,600-meter run and Ala. …won two AHSAA State medals in the 4x400 relay and one in 3,200-meter run throughout high school … led her high school to the the 4x100 meter relay … placed fourth in the 2006 Section 5A State 2006 state championship title … placed second in the 1,600-meter Championship 200m and 400m dash … team won three

run that year … helped Daniel to a second-place finish at the 2007 Birmingham City Relays and Birmingham City Championships. 2008 Blazers state championship … was a five-year all-state track athlete … won the South Carolina Class AAA state champion in cross country her Personal: Full name is Veronica A. Johnson … born April 14, 1988 sophomore year ... among the top three individual finishers in the in Birmingham, Ala. … daughter of Coltrenia Johnson and Limuet state championship meet every year ... led her team to state cham- Bannerman … plans to major in health science. pionships in 2005 and 2006 ... a five-year South Carolina all-state cross country runner ... finished second at the state championship in 2006 her senior year ... placed third her freshman and junior years ... a member of the All-South Footlocker team ... coached by Ron Sullivan.

Personal: Full name is Stephanie Marie Gammon ... born May 1, 1989 in Anderson, S.C. ... daughter of Robert and Susan Gammon ... majoring in health professions.

2008 BLAZERS 17 UAB Track & Field

Bianca Le’Blanc Jacinta Scruggs

Freshman Freshman Sprints/Mid-Distance Multi

Houston, Texas Round Rock, Texas Klein Forest HS Stony Point HS UAB Blazers UAB Blazers

High School: Ran at Klein Forest High School in Houston, Texas … High School: Ran track at Stony Point High School in Round Rock, was two-time district champion in the 400-meter run and the 800- Texas for head coach Joe Vosek … was four-year 300-meter hur- meter run … qualified for state championship in 800-meter run … dles district champion … Texas Relays high school triple jump team was district champions three years in a row … was runner-up champion in 2007 … was named female athlete of the year. in the 800-meter run at regional championships Personal: Full name is Jacinta R. Scruggs … born January 13, Personal: Full name is Bianca Rene LeBlanc … born January 11, 1989 in San Antonio, Texas … daughter of Paula and Bruce 1989 … daughter of Evonda LeBlanc and Stanley Petry … is unde- Scruggs … plans to major in elementary education. cided on a major.

Nora Mehl Jasmine Sheffield

Sophomores Freshman Multi Sprints/Mid-Distance

Rottweil, Germany Phenix City, Ala. Droste Huelshoff Smiths Station HS UAB Blazers UAB Blazers

High School: Attended Droste Huelshoof Gymnasium in Rottweil, High School: Attended Smiths Station High School in Smiths Germany ... was South German Champion in the high jump in 2004 Station, Ala. … is the state record holder in 400-meter run, 4x400m … placed fifth in high jump and sixth in heptathlon at German relay, and the 4x800m relay … in 2005 was named All-Bi-City Championships in 2004 … placed fourth in high jump and seventh Athlete of the Year … high school team was class 6A Outdoor State in heptathlon at German Championships in 2006 … German Track and Field Champion in 2005. Champion with the heptathlon team in 2005. Personal: Full name is Jasmine Nicole Sheffield … born February Personal: Full name is Nora Theresa Mehl … born October 14, 14, 1989 in Killeen, Texas … daughter of Cynthia and Michael 1987 in Rottweil, Germany … daughter of Hansjorg Mehl and Edith Sheffield … majoring in nursing. Schneider-Mehl … plans to major in psychology and pre-med. 2008 Blazers

18 2008 BLAZERS UAB Track & Field

Erica Whitby Lacey Wright

Freshman Freshman Jumps Distance

Smiths Station, Ala. Scottsboro, Ala. Smiths Station HS Scottsboro HS UAB Blazers UAB Blazers

High School: Competed at Smiths Station High School in Smiths High School: Was a five-time all-state track athlete at Scottsboro Station, Ala. during her prep career … in 2006 was class 6A indoor High School ... placed fifth in the 3200-meter run in 2006 and 2007 track and infield high jump champion … was a three-time All-Bi-City ... also placed 10th in 1,600-meters those years … a six-time all- athlete … placed fifth at 2007 Nike Indoor Nationals … high school state cross country runner in Alabama, she captured the Class 5A team was class 6A Outdoor State Track and Field Champion in state cross country champion in 2006 ... helped her high school 2005. squad extend its state championship streak to six years ... finished second, behind her teammate, in the cross country state champi- Personal: Full name is Erika Danielle Whitby … born July 3, 1989 onship in 2005 ... member of six state cross country championship in Fort Bragg, N.C. … daughter of Kyle and Josephine Whitby … teams ... coached by John Eslinger majoring in public relations with a minor in communication manage- ment. Personal: Full name is Lacey Emma Wright ... born January 25, 1989 in Scottsboro, Ala. ... daughter of Benny and Shelia Wright ... majoring in elementary education. 2008 Blazers

2008 BLAZERS 19 UAB Track & Field Team C-USA: Dedicated to Excellence Excellence every day. For Confer- SUCCESS OFF THE FIELD ence USA, dedication to excellence is C-USA institutions are among the nation's best in academic perform- a common thread in athletics, aca- ance among student-athletes, bolstered by the fact that student-ath- demics and in the community, and the letes at league schools have a higher graduation rate than the general guiding initiative for the league's prom- student population. Among C-USA's 5,000 student-athletes, there are ising future. Conference USA features champions off the playing field as well. In 12 years, 105 student-ath- 12 nationally prominent, tradition-rich letes earned national ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America hon- members in East Carolina, Houston, ors, while 338 were named All-District. In addition, more than 13,000 Marshall, Memphis, Rice, SMU, student-athletes have been named to the Commissioner's Honor Roll Southern Miss, Tulane, Tulsa, UAB, or received the Commissioner's Academic Medal, indicative of out- UCF and UTEP. This combination standing achievement in the classroom. enhances men's and women's pro- grams that are steeped in athletic suc- C-USA ON TV cess and academic prowess. Togeth- C-USA enjoys significant television exposure through its partnerships er, we are dedicated to excellence, with ESPN Inc. and College Sports Television Networks (CSTV). The Britton Banowsky integrity and leadership in athletics, league entered into long-term agreements with both ESPN and CSTV, C-USA Commissioner academics and in our communities. which, combined, provides C-USA with significant national and region- al exposure for football, men's and women's basketball, and all other All C-USA institutions sponsor Division I-A football, along with several conference sports. Additionally, the CSTV agreement includes video- other men's and women's athletic programs, many of which compete on-demand, Internet, broadband, national over-the-air and satellite regularly for NCAA Championships. C-USA sponsors competition in 19 radio, and wireless distribution as well as corporate marketing rights, sports - nine for men (baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, and website production through CSTV Online, a subsidiary of CSTV. soccer, tennis and indoor and outdoor track and field) and 10 for The agreement with ESPN extends the conference's current regular women (basketball, cross country, golf, softball, soccer, swimming and season football package to include the broadcast of the conference's diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field and volleyball). Football Championship Game. It also encompasses distribution of men's basketball and women's basketball on ESPN/ESPN2 and both The league sponsors numerous academic awards, including the Com- tournament championship games. missioner's Honor Roll and the Commissioner's Academic Medal, indicative of outstanding achievement in the classroom. C-USA annu- C-USA IN THE COMMUNITY ally awards six postgraduate scholarships, along with the Sport Acade- The conference's footprint is concentrated with 12 members in nine mic Award, Scholar Athletes of the Year and the Institutional Academic states and a combined area population of nearly 17 million. More than Excellence Award. 1.1 million living alumni represent C-USA schools across the nation. With a renewed commitment to community involvement, the confer- SUCCESS ON THE PLAYING FIELD ence has begun development of several initiatives to maintain strong Conference USA performers have achieved great success in competi- ties in C-USA cities, as well as with fans and alumni across the coun- tion, placing the league among the top conferences in the nation. try. C-USA schools also place a priority on giving back to their commu- nities through volunteer service with local and national organizations. Football " Rated among the top seven conferences in the nation GOVERNANCE " 38 teams have earned bowl bids Along with the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC, " Member of the Bowl Championship Series Conference USA is one of the seven conferences having significant rep- " Bowl tie-ins with the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, GMAC Bowl, Bell resentation in the NCAA governance structure. The Presidents of the Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, Papajohns.com Bowl, R+L Carriers member institutions serve as the league's Board of Directors. R. Gerald New Orleans Bowl, Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl and Texas Bowl Turner of SMU will serve as chair of the Board for 2007-08.

Men's Basketball A PROUD HISTORY; A PROMISING FUTURE " Consistently rated as one of the top basketball leagues in the country Conference USA was formed in 1995 and quickly emerged as one of " 73 postseason teams (41 NCAA and 32 NIT) the nation's top conferences. The conference unveiled its name, logo " Two Final Four teams and commissioner on April 24, 1995 in Chicago. The league's charter " Six Elite Eight NCAA Tournament teams members included Charlotte, Cincinnati, DePaul, Houston, Louisville, " One NIT Champion Marquette, Memphis, Saint Louis, Southern Miss, Tulane, UAB and " Four NIT semifinalists USF. Eleven of the institutions began athletic participation in 1995, while Houston joined competition in the fall of 1996. Women's Basketball " 40 NCAA Tournament appearances The league's headquarters were established in Chicago and after nine " 28 WNIT appearances years, relocated to the current office in Irving, Texas. Britton Banowsky " One team in the NCAA Sweet 16 was named Commissioner in October 2002, succeeding Mike Slive, the " Two WNIT semifinalists league's first commissioner.

Baseball C-USA added East Carolina (September, 1996) and the United States " 39 NCAA appearances Military Academy (March, 1997) as football members. ECU began " Four College World Series appearances in 2007, 2006, 2005 and league competition in 1997; Army in 1998 and UAB began football play 2001 in 1999. The league added TCU and ECU (1999) for all sports and they " Nine Super Regional appearances began competition in 2001. USF started C-USA football in 2003. " Has produced at least four NCAA teams in each of the last six sea- sons After celebrating its 10th Anniversary during the 2004-05 season, C- USA began a new chapter in 2005-06 when its current membership In addition, 28 volleyball teams, 39 men's and women's soccer teams came together to form the new look of the league. and 17 softball teams have earned NCAA Tournament bids. C-USA has sent three men's soccer teams to the NCAA College Cup, five soft- Since its formation, C-USA has established a strong foundation, an ball teams to the Women's College World Series and three volleyball identity and a history that reflects the league's national presence. teams to the Sweet 16. The league has also had three national cham- Twelve years of remarkable history has reinforced the league's position pions in NCAA track and field competition, one national champion in in collegiate athletics, setting the course for the next decade and diving and numerous NCAA individual and team competitors in cross beyond. country, golf, swimming, tennis and track and field. Overall, Confer-

Conference USA Conference ence USA teams and individuals have made 506 NCAA appearances. 20 2008 BLAZERS UAB Track & Field

UAB Notches Fourth-Place Finish at Conference Additional top-seven finshers for UAB were Stephanie McCauley, USA Indoor Championship Genoah Collins, Whitney Mays, Elizabeth Hilligoss, Erika Russ, Erin Backed by three first-place finishes and three second-place finishes, Harris, Deborah Hawkins, and Kendel Hood and Stacey Adewakun UAB placed fourth and scored the most points in a Conference USA who were relay team members. Indoor Championship Meet since 1996. Eight Athletes Earn All-Conference USA Honors Elizabeth Ambrus led UAB with a first-place finish in the 5,000-meter Eight athletes earned All-Conference USA Honors in 10 events last run and also finished third in the 3,000-meter run. Whitney Mays was season, a record number under head coach Ray Stanfield. Alina also a first-place finisher in the one-mile run. Alina Varpiotaite took Varpiotaite was the top receiver, earning all-conference honors in the second in the 800-meter run while guiding the 4x400 relay team to a indoor and outdoor 800-meter dash, as well as helping the indoor first-place finish. Other second-place finishes included Deborah 4x400 relay team and indoor distance medley team. Hawkins in the triple jump and the distance medley relay team. The Blazers also were aided by fourth-place finishes from Tara Colvin, Also earning conference honors in the 4x400 relay were Stacey Elizabeth Hilligoss, and Erin Harris. Adewakun, Genoah Collins, and Tara Colvin. Colvin, Kendal Hood and Whitney Mays earned honors in the distance medley relay. Mays Blazers Send Five To NCAA Mideast Regional Meet also garnered accolades in the outdoor 3,000-meter steeplechase. UAB was well represented at the NCAA Outdoor Mideast Regional Elizabeth Ambrus and Deborah Hawkins both took home two all- Meet in Columbia, Mo., as five Blazers competed in seven events. league honors, while Erika Russ earned her first All-CUSA honor. Alina Varpiotaite, Whitney Mays, and Tara Colvin competed in one event, while Erin Harris and Deborah Hawkins both participated in Records Falling the long jump and triple jumps. It was another record-breaking year for the Blazers, who set four records during the indoor season and three records during the out- Mays had the highest finish for the Blazers, capturing 12th in the door season. Tara Colvin set a school indoor record in the 400-meter 3,000-meter steeplechase. Varpiotaite competed and placed 13th in dash for the second straight year, and also established a new mark the 800-meter dash, while Colvin participated in 400-meter dash. in the indoor 300-meter dash. UAB also broke the school’s 4x400 relay mark and the distance medley relay, which was set in 2000. UAB Ties For Ninth At C-USA Outdoor Championship Whitney Mays, Deborah Hawkins and Alina Varpiotaite led the Alina Varpiotaite set a new record in the 800-meter run, and was also Blazers and earned league honors at the Conference USA Outdoor instrumental in helping set the new mark in the 4x800 relay. Whitney Track and Field Championship hosted by Rice in Houston. The Mays set the new Blazers’ record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Blazers scored 45 points and finished in a tie with SMU for ninth- place. UAB also set five freshman records during the indoor and outdoor seasons. Amber Walker set a new standard in the 300-meter run, The three all-conference athletes were the largest number of ath- Timara McMillan scored a freshman points record in the pentathlon, letes to receive outdoor honors under head coach Ray Stanfield. while Kendel Hood broke the record in the one-mile run during the Mays placed third in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Hawkins finished indoor seasons. Kristina Olsen set outdoor freshman records in the third in the triple jump, and 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs. Varpiotaite placed third in the 800- meter run. Other athletes who scored Harris and Adewakun points for the Blazers were Stephanie Break Blazers Athlete of McCauley, Tara Colvin, Katie Stepp, the Week String Jennifer Thompson and Erin Harris. Erin Harris and Stacey Adewakun earned Conference USA Athlete of Blazers Place Fourth At C- the Week honors, putting an end to a USA Indoor Championship drought in the outdoor season that

Backed by seven top-three finishes lasted over 10 years. Harris received 2007 Season Review the Blazers scored 87 points to finish the nod on March 20 after finishing fourth at the 2007 Conference USA first in the 100-meter hurdles, long Indoor Track and Field jump, and triple jump at the Austin Championship. Alina Varpiotaite, Peay Spring Fling. She also ran the Elizabeth Ambrus and Tara Colvin second leg of the second-place led the Blazers assault that helped 4x100 relay and 4x400 relay. earn UAB the most points in the meet since 1996 when the Blazers scored Adewakun received the distinction 127 points and finished second. on May 8 after finishing second in the 200-meter dash, fourth in the 100- Elizabeth Amrbus won the 5,000- meter dash, and being the lead run- meter run and also placed third in the ner for UAB's 4x100 team that fin- 3,000-meter run. Varpiotaite placed ished second at the Billy Hayes second in the 800-meter race while Invitational. Colvin finished fourth in the 400- meter dash. Both the 4x400 relay The last time a Blazer received team to a first-place finish and the Outdoor Athlete of the Week was distance medley relay squad to a May 7, 1996 when Vonetta Jeffrey second-place finish. won her third straight athlete of the Deborah Hawkins week award.

2008 BLAZERS 21 UAB Track & Field

2007 INDOOR SEASON BESTS

60 meters Triple Jump 7.47(p) Stephanie McCauley ...... C-USA Championships 12.41m Deborah Hawkins ...... C-USA Championships 7.51 Stephanie McCauley ...... C-USA Championships 12.04m Erin Harris ...... Niswoner Invitational 7.58(p) Stephanie McCauley ...... LSU Twilight 12.02m Deborah Hawkins ...... Clemson Opener 12.02m Erin Harris ...... MEYO Invitational 200 meters 24.80 Stephanie McCauley ...... MEYO Invitational Shot Put 24.88(p) Stephanie McCauley ...... C-USA Championships 9.17m Mary Kim Webb ...... Indiana Open 24.89(p) Stephanie McCauley ...... Niswonger Invitational Distance Medley Relay 300 meters 11:46.80* Hood-Colvin-Varpiotaite-Mays . . . .C-USA Champ. 39.59* Tara Colvin ...... MEYO Invitational 12:00.76 Collins-Colvin-Varpiotaite-Mays . . . .Niswonger Inv. 40.16 Stacey Adewakun ...... MEYO Invitational 12:08.23 Collins-Colvin-Varpiotaite-Mays . .Clemson Opener 42.11! Amber Walker ...... MEYO Invitational 4x400-meter Relay 400 meters 3:44.07* Adewakun-Varpiotatie-Collins-Colvin Niswonger Inv. 55.49* Tara Colvin ...... MEYO Invitational 3:44.75 Adewakun-Collins-Varpiotaite-Colvin .C-USA Champ. 55.63 Tara Colvin ...... C-USA Championships 3:45.48 Adewakun-Collins-Varpiotaite-Colvin . . .MEYO Inv. 56.01 Tara Colvin ...... Clemson Opener Pentathlon 500 meters 3,453 Erin Harris ...... C-USA Championships 1:19.08 Christina Chambers ...... MEYO Invitational 2,985! Timara McMillan ...... C-USA Championships 1:21.27 Mary Kim Webb ...... MEYO Invitational 2,769 Christina Chambers ...... C-USA Championships 1:22.89 Tracy Rowan ...... MEYO Invitational

800 meters 2:10.78(p) Alina Varpiotaite ...... C-USA Championships * - School Record 2:12.52(p) Genoah Collins ...... C-USA Championships ! - Freshman Record 2:12.52 Alina Varpiotaite ...... MEYO Invitational p - Preliminary Time

Mile Run 5:00.75 Whitney Mays ...... MEYO Invitational 5:03.56 Whitney Mays ...... LSU Twilight 5:07.85! Kendel Hood ...... MEYO Invitational

3000 meters 9:54.68 Elizabeth Ambrus ...... C-USA Championships 10:00.67 Elizabeth Hilligoss ...... MEYO Invitational 10:04.66 Elizabeth Hilligoss ...... C-USA Championships

5000 meters 17:01.68 Elizabeth Ambrus ...... C-USA Championships 17:13.80 Elizabeth Hilligoss ...... C-USA Championships 17:37.37 Elizabeth Hilligoss ...... Clemson Opener

60-meter hurdles 8.66 Erika Russ ...... C-USA Championships 8.77(p) Erika Russ ...... C-USA Championships 8.83(p) Erika Russ ...... Niswonger Invitational

Long Jump 5.92m Deborah Hawkins ...... Clemson Opener 5.84m Deborah Hawkins ...... MEYO Invitational 5.80m Deborah Hawkins ...... Niswonger Invitational

High Jump 1.52m Tracy Rowan ...... LSU Twilight 1.50m Tracy Rowan ...... Indiana Open 1.50m Christina Chambers ...... Indiana Open Stephanie McCauley 2007 Top Performances 2007 Top

22 2008 BLAZERS UAB Track & Field

2007 OUTDOOR SEASON BESTS

100 meters 1.45m Tracy Rowan ...... Mississippi Open 11.90(p) Stephanie McCauley ...... C-USA Championships 11.92 Stephanie McCauley ...... C-USA Championships 4x100-meter Relay 12.00 Stephanie McCauley ...... Mississippi Open 45.89 Adewakun-McCauley-Russ-Colvin .Billy Hayes Inv. 45.93 Russ-McCauley-Adewakun-Colvin .C-USA Champ. 200 meters 46.14 Russ-McCauley-Adewakun-Colvin . . . .Miss. Open 24.68(p) Stephanie McCauley ...... C-USA Championships 24.82 Stacey Adewakun ...... Billy Hayes Invitational 4x200-meter Relay 24.92 Tara Colvin ...... Billy Hayes Invitational 1:41.48 Harrell-Walker-Russ-McCauley . . . .Florida Relays

400 meters 4x400-meter Relay 54.48# Tara Colvin ...... Mississippi Open 3:43.24 Adewakun-Collins-Varpiotaite-Colvin .Florida Relays 54.50 Tara Colvin ...... C-USA Championships 3:43.53 Adewakun-Collins-Varpiotaite-Colvin .C-USA Champ. 55.10(p) Tara Colvin ...... C-USA Championships 3:43.86 Adewakun-Collins-Varpiotaite-Colvin . .Auburn Inv.

800 meters 4x800-meter Relay 2:08.90(p)*Alina Varpiotaite ...... NCAA MidEast 9:08.05* Collins-Mays-Varpiotaite-Hood ...... LSU Relays 2:09.70(p)# Alina Varpiotaite ...... C-USA Championships 9:41.76 Mays-Hood-Webb-Chambers ...... Florida Relays 2:09.87 Alina Varpiotaite ...... C-USA Championships Sprint Medley Relay 1500 meters 3:54.55 Harrell-McCauley-Colvin-Varpiotaite . . .LSU Relays 4:36.53 Whitney Mays ...... Billy Hayes Invitational 3:54.55 Adewakun-McCauley-Colvin-Varpiotaite .Florida Relays 4:43.43 Kendel Hood ...... Auburn Invitational 4:44.65 Alina Varpiotaite ...... Austin Peay Spring Fling Distance Medley Relay 11:46.25 Hood-Walker-Collins-Mays ...... Florida Relays 5000 meters 12:13.85 Hood-Colvin-Collins-Fortney ...... LSU Relays 17:22.24 Whitney Mays ...... Austin Peay Spring Fling 17:53.41 Katie Stepp ...... C-USA Championships Heptathlon 17:56.60! Kristina Olsen ...... LSU Relays 4,500 Erin Harris ...... LSU Combined Events 4,083 Timara McMillan ...... LSU Combined Events 10000 meters 3,661 Christina Chambers ...... LSU Combined Events 35:36.32 Elizabeth Ambrus ...... Austin Peay Spring Fling 37:06.45 Katie Stepp ...... Mt. SAC Relays * - School Record 37:35.46! Kristina Olsen ...... Austin Peay Spring Fling ! - Freshman Record # - NCAA Regional Qualifying time 100-meter hurdles p - Preliminary Time 14.32 Erin Harris ...... Florida Relays 14.52(p) Erin Harris ...... C-USA Championships 14.62 Erika Russ ...... Florida Relays Erin Harris 2007 TopPerformances 400-meter hurdles 1:03.92 Christina Chambers ...... Florida Relays 1:04.33 Christina Chambers ...... LSU Relays 1:04.49 Mary Kim Webb ...... Auburn Inviational

3000-meter steeplechase 10:31.90*# Whitney Mays ...... Mt. SAC Relays 10:46.08 Whitney Mays ...... C-USA Championships 10:46.11 Whitney Mays ...... LSU Relays

Long Jump 6.02m# Erin Harris ...... LSU Relays 5.94m# Deborah Hawkins ...... LSU Relays 5.92m Erin Harris ...... Florida Relays

Triple Jump 12.55m# Erin Harris ...... Austin Peay Spring Fling 12.44m# Deborah Hawkins ...... C-USA Championships 12.43m Erin Harris ...... LSU Relays

High Jump 1.49m Timara McMillan ...... Austin Peay Spring Fling 1.47m Tracy Rowan ...... Billy Hayes Invitational 1.45m Tracy Rowan ...... Gem of the Hills Invitational

2008 BLAZERS 23 UAB Track & Field

ALL-TIME RECORDS

Indoor: 55 Meters Stacey Adewakun 7.00 2005 60 Meters Yolanda Cooper 7.36 2000 200 Meters Vonetta Jeffery 23.87 1995 300 Meters Tara Colvin 39.59 2007 400 Meters Tara Colvin 55.49 2007 500 Meters Tara Colvin 1:13.43 2006 800 Meters Genoah Collins 2:07.70 2005 Mile Lori Ursey 4:59.60 1999 3000 Meters Elizabeth Ambrus 9:43.45 2005 5000 Meters Elizabeth Ambrus 16:57.16 2005 Nakeshia 55-Meter Hurdles Theresa Smith 8.00 2003 Jackson 60-Meter Hurdles Nakeshia Jackson 8.46 2000 4x400 Relay Adewakun-Varpiotaite-Collins-Colvin 3:44.07 2007 Distance Medley Relay Hood-Colvin-Varpiotaite-Mays 11:46.80 2007 High Jump Meredith George 5-9 3/4 2000 Long Jump Vonetta Jeffery 21-8 3/4 1995 Triple Jump Kim White 41-2 1/2 1998 Shot Put Jessica Moore 40-9 1/2 2004 Pole Vault Rebecca Brown 10-0 2005 Anna Fearon 10-0 2006 Pentathlon Judy Shepherd 3,599 2004

Outdoor: 100 Meters Vonetta Jeffery 11.30 1995 200 Meters Vonetta Jeffery 23.05 1995 Yolanda 400 Meters Barbara May 53.30 1988 Cooper 800 Meters Alina Varpiotaite 2:08.90 2007 1500 Meters Lori Ursey 4:34.83 1997 3000 Meters Beth Groom 9:47.18 1995 5000 Meters Elizabeth Ambrus 16:33.48 2006 10,000 Meters Elizabeth Ambrus 34:07.95 2006 100-Meter Hurdles Nakeshia Jackson 13.25 2000 400-Meter Hurdles Nakeshia Jackson 58.44 2000 3000-Meter Steeplechase Whitney Mays 10:31.90 2007 4x100 Relay Gibson-Thomas-Fincher-Jeffery 45.22 1995 4x200 Relay Gibson-Thomas-Christopher-Jeffery 1:35.44 1995 4x400 Relay Jennings-Collins-Minnifield-Colvin 3:42.28 2005 4x800 Relay Collins-Mays-Varpiotaite-Hood 9:08.05 2007 4x1500 Relay Ursey-Kelly-Caywood-Hopkins 19:01.76 1999 Taneeshia Distance Medley Relay Collins-Colvin-Varpiotaite-Ambrus 11:43.63 2006 Jones Shuttle Hurdle Relay Shepherd-Russ-Smith-Harris 56.96 2005 Sprint Medley Relay Carter-Lockett-Colvin-Collins 3:52.77 2005 Long Jump Vonetta Jeffery 21-8 3/4 1994 Triple Jump Vonetta Jeffery 41-4 1/4 1995 High Jump Carla Turnbough 5-10 3/4 1988 Shot Put Cadetric Walker 40-8 1988 Discus Cadetric Walker 143-3 1988 Javelin Nakeshia Jackson 127-1 2000 Pole Vault Tiffany Parker 10-0 2005 Anna Fearon 10-0 2006 Heptathlon Angela King 5,436 1988

Tara Colvin All-Time Records All-Time

24 2008 BLAZERS UAB Track & Field

TOP INDOOR PERFORMANCES 60 Meters 5) Andrea Ripley 17:13.94 1996 1) Yolanda Cooper 7.36 2000 2) Stephanie McCauley 7.47 2007 60-Meter Hurdles Stephanie McCauley 7.47 2005 1) Nakeshia Jackson 8.46 2000 Taneeshia Jones 7.47 1998 2) Theresa Smith 8.48 2005 Vonetta Jeffery 7.47 1995 Theresa Smith 8.48 2003 4) Theresa Smith 8.51 2005 200 Meters 5) Theresa Smith 8.52 2005 1) Vonetta Jeffery 23.87 1995 2) Stephanie McCauley 24.80 2007 4x400-Meter Relay 3) Stacey Adewakun 24.82 2005 1) Adewakun-Varpiotaite-Collins-Colvin 3:44.07 2007 4) Stephanie McCauley 24.88 2007 2) Adewakun-Collins-Varpiotaite-Colvin 3:44.75 2007 5) Stephanie McCauley 24.89 2007 3) Adewakun-Collins-Varpiotaite-Colvin 3:45.48 2007 4) Jennings-Collins-Minnifield-Colvin 3:47.06 2005 400 Meters 5) Jennings-Collins-Minnifield-Colvin 3:47.21 2005 1) Tara Colvin 55.49 2007 2) Tara Colvin 55.63 2007 Distance Medley Relay (DMR) 3) Tara Colvin 55.65 2006 1) Hood-Colvin-Varpiotaite-Mays 11:46.80 2007 4) Tara Colvin 56.01 2007 2) Collins-Minnifield-Colvin-Ambrus 11:53.12 2005 5) Tara Colvin 56.40 2005 3) Usrey-Jackson-Caywood-Hopkins 11:56.09 1999 4) Mays-Colvin-Collins-Ambrus 11:58.75 2005 500 Meters 5) Collins-Colvin-Varpiotaite-Mays 12:00.76 2007 1) Tara Colvin 1:13.43 2006 2) Alina Varpiotaite 1:14.90 2006 Long Jump 3) Tara Colvin 1:14.98 2006 1) Vonetta Jeffery 21-8 1/4 1995 4) Christina Chambers 1:19.08 2007 2) Deborah Hawkins 19-5 1/4 2007 5) Mary Kim Webb 1:21.27 2007 3) Deborah Hawkins 19-2 2007 Erin Harris 19-2 2005 800 Meters 5) Deborah Hawkins 19-0 2007 1) Genoah Collins 2:07.20 2005 2) Genoah Collins 2:08.75 2005 Triple Jump 3) Genoah Collins 2:10.22 2005 1) Kim White 41-2 1/2 1998 Indoor All-Time Records 4) Alina Varpiotaite 2:10.78 2007 2) Deborah Hawkins 40-8 3/4 2007 5) Genoah Collins 2:12.52 2007 Penny Shields 40-8 3/4 2006 3) Vonetta Jeffery 39-9 3/4 1995 Mile Erin Harris 39-9 3/4 2006 1) Lori Usrey 4:59.60 1999 2) Whitney Mays 5:00.75 2007 High Jump 3) Elizabeth Ambrus 5:01.86 2005 1) Meredith George 5-9 3/4 2000 4) Whitney Mays 5:03.56 2007 2) Judy Shepherd 5-3 2005 5) Petra Ivanova 5:04.1 2004 3) Adrienne Duke 5-2 2005 4) Chelsea Bishop 5-1 1/4 1994 3000 Meters Penny Shields 5-1 2005 1) Elizabeth Ambrus 9:43:45 2005 Tracy Rowan 5-1 2005 2) Elizabeth Ambrus 9:48.30 2005 Adrienne Duke 5-1 2005 3) Elizabeth Ambrus 9:49.61 2005 4) Elizabeth Ambrus 9:54.68 2007 Shot Put 5) Andrea Ripley 9:57.48 1996 1) Dina Katsoulis 36-5 2001 2) Cadetric Walker 35-3 3/4 1992 5000 Meters 3) Alecia Robertson 35-1 1/4 1995 1) Elizabeth Ambrus 16:57.16 2005 4) Erin Harris 33-11 1/4 2006 2) Elizabeth Ambrus 17:01.65 2007 5) Mary Kim Webb 30-1 2007 3) Elizabeth Hilligoss 17:13.80 2007 4) Elizabeth Ambrus 17:07.17 2005 2008 BLAZERS 25 UAB Track & Field

TOP OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES 100 Meters 100-Meter hurdles 1) Vonetta Jeffery 11.30 1995 1) Nakeshia Jackson 13.25 2000 2) Taneeshia Jones 11.54 1998 2) Theresa Smith 13.69 2004 3) Oriana Carter 11.58 2005 3) Michelle Lovelace 13.70 1997 4) Yolanda Cooper 11.59 2000 4) Theresa Smith 13.73 2003 5) Michelle Lovelace 11.60 1997 5) Teneeshia Jones 13.98 1998 Vonetta Jeffery 13.98 1995 200 Meters 1) Vonetta Jeffery 23.05 1995 400-Meter hurdles 2) Taneeshia Jones 23.88 1998 1) Nakeshia Jackson 58.44 2000 3) Barbara May 23.98 1988 2) Michelle Lovelace 59.40 1997 4) Kathy Gibson 24.06 1995 3) Adrienne Duke 60.59 2005 5) Tammy Fincher 24.19 1995 4) Adrienne Duke 61.41 2005 5) Adrienne Duke 61.55 2005 400 Meters 1) Barbara May 53.30 1988 3000-Meter steeplechase 2) Tara Colvin 53.85 2005 1) Whitney Mays 10:31.90 2007 3) Tara Colvin 53.96 2006 2) Whitney Mays 10:42.32 2006 4) Tara Colvin 54.43 2005 3) Whitney Mays 10:45.60 2005 5) Tara Colvin 54.48 2007 4) Whitney Mays 10:46.08 2007 5) Whitney Mays 10:46.11 2007 800 Meters 1) Alina Varpiotaite 2:08.90 2007 4x100 Meter Relay 2) Genoah Collins 2:09.24 2006 1) Gibson-Thomas-Fincher-Jeffery 45.22 1995 3) Alina Varpiotaite 2:09.70 2007 2) Smith-McCauley-Hunter-Carter 45.45 2004 4) Alina Varpiotaite 2:09.87 2007 3) Smith-McCauley-Carter-Lockett 45.51 2005 5) Alina Varpiotaite 2:09.99 2007 4) Thomas-Cameron-Lovelace-Jeffery 45.53 1996 5) Gibson-Thomas-Christopher-Jeffery 45.62 1995 1500 Meters 1) Lori Usrey 4:34.83 1997 4x200 Meter Relay 2) Jill Faulkner 4:35.09 1987 1) Gibson-Thomas-Christopher-Jeffery 1:35.44 1995 3) Whitney Mays 4:36.53 2007 2) Gibson-Fincher-Christopher-Jeffery 1:36.54 1995 3) Emry McKay 4:36.63 2004 3) Thomas-Cameron-Lovelace-Jeffery 1:37.11 1996 4) Elizabeth Ambrus 4:38.99 2005 4) Fincher-Thomas-Moore-Jeffery 1:38.48 1994 5) Smith-McCauley-Shepherd-Lockett 1:40.11 2005 3000 Meters 1) Beth Groom 9:47.18 1995 4x400 Meter Relay 2) Melissa Hopkins 9:52.86 1999 1) Jennings-Duke-Minnifield-Colvin 3:40.58 2005 3) Jill Faulkner 10:01.20 1988 2) Jennings-Duke-Minnifield-Colvin 3:41.87 2005 4) Lori Usrey 10:04.92 1999 3) Jennings-Collins-Minnifield-Colvin 3:42.28 2005 5) Elizabeth Ambrus 10:08.60 2004 4) Jennings-Collins-Minnifield-Colvin 3:42.37 2005 5) Jennings-Duke-Minnifield-Colvin 3:42.45 2005 5000 Meters 1) Elizabeth Ambrus 16:33.48 2006 4x800 Meter Relay 2) Elizabeth Ambrus 16:45.84 2006 1) Collins-Mays-Varpiotaite-Hood 9:08.05 2007 3) Elizabeth Ambrus 16:54.57 2005 2) Minnifield-Jennings-Collins-Walton 9:12.52 2005 4) Elizabeth Ambrus 17:06.43 2005 3) Williams-Varpiotaite-Rowan-Mays 9:16.41 2006 5) Beth Groom 17:11.71 1995 4) Wills-May-Picard-Faulkner 9:19.40 1987 5) Caywood-Werner-Kelly-Usrey 9:19.82 1999 10,000 Meters 1) Elizabeth Ambrus 34:07.95 2006 2) Elizabeth Ambrus 35:36.32 2007 2) Elizabeth Ambrus 35:39.04 2006 3) Andrea Ripley 36:43.71 1995 4) Elizabeth Ambrus 36.44.05 2005 Outdoor All-Time Records Outdoor All-Time

26 2008 BLAZERS UAB Track & Field

4x1500-Meter Relay 5) Adrienne Duke 5-04 1/4 2004 1) Kelly-Jackson-Caywood-Usrey 19:01.44 1999 Penny Shields 5-04 1/4 2006 2) Hilligoss-Ambrus-Mays-Fortney 19:15.84 2005 3) UAB 19:19.34 2006 Triple Jump 4) Ambrus-McKay-Kara-Fortney 19:20.40 2004 1) Vonetta Jeffery 41-4 1/4 1995 5) Fortney-Collins-Mays-Walton 19:26.11 2005 2) Erin Harris 41-2 2007 3) Erin Harris 40-10 1/4 2006 Distance Medley Relay (DMR) 4) Kim White 40-9 3/4 1998 1) Mays-Colvin-Varpiotaite-Ambrus 11:43.63 2006 5) Penny Shields 40-6 3/4 2006 2) Hood-Walker-Collins-Mays 11:46.25 2007 2) Ambrus-Minnifield-Collins-Ivanova 11:49.96 2004 Shot Put 3) Mays-Colvin-Varpiotaite-Ambrus 11:51.43 2006 1) Cadetric Walker 40-8 1988 4) Usrey-Kelly-Caywood-Hopkins 11:55.60 1999 2) Jacque Nero 36-2 3/4 1992 3) Dina Katsoulis 36-2 2003 Shuttle Hurdle Relay 4) Angela King 36-0 1/2 1988 1) Shepherd-Russ-Smith-Harris 56.96 2005 5) Jennifer Roosevelt 35-4 1/2 1986 2) Russ-Harris-Hawkins-Sykes 1:02.76 2006 Javelin Sprint Medley Relay (SMR) 1) Olivia Ross-Hurst 163-7 2003 1) Carter-Lockett-Colvin-Collins 3:52.77 2005 2) Nakeshia Jackson 127-1 2000 2) Harrell-McCauley-Colvin-Varpiotaite 3:54.55 2007 3) Tiffany Parker 125-10 2004 Adewakun-McCauley-Colvin-Varpiotaite 3:54.55 2007 4) Denise Milite 118-1 1991 4) Adewakun-Carter-Colvin-Varpiotaite 3:55.23 2006 5) Christy Mixon 117-10 2006 5) Hunter-Carter-Minnifield-Collins 3:57.05 2004 Discus Long Jump 1) Cadetric Walker 143-3 1988 1) Vonetta Jeffery 21-8 3/4 1994 2) Donna Burke 124-9 1987 2) Kathy Gibson 20-0 1/4 1995 3) Christy Mixon 119-04 2004 3) Erin Harris 19-11 2006 4) Christy Mixon 107-11 2003 4) Erin Harris 19-9 1/2 2007 5) Laura Strunk 94-7 2004 Angela King 19-9 1/2 1988 Erin Harris 19-9 1/2 2006 Heptathlon 1) Angela King 5,436 1988 High Jump 2) Nakeshia Jackson 5,282 2000 1) Carla Turnbough 5-10 3/4 1988 3) Vonetta Jeffery 5,059 1994

2) Meredith George 5-10 1/2 2000 4) Judy Shepherd 4,982 2004 Outdoor All-Time Records 3) Angela King 5-10 1988 5) Judy Shepherd 4,848 2004 4) Adrienne Duke 5-5 2003 GREATEST SPRINTERS & JUMPERS IN UAB HISTORY Yolanda Cooper (97-02): Conference champion indoor 55m; Conference record holder 55m; NCAA qualifier for 60m; Ranked 15th nationally in 2000; Two school records.

Meredith George (98-03): Three school records; Two-time NCAA qualifier in high jump.

Kathy Gibson (94-96): Runner-up in many conference championships.

Nakeshia Jackson (97-01): 12 school records; 2000 Olympic Trials Qualifier; 400m hurdles conference champion; Conference freshman of the year 1998 out- door.

Vonetta Jeffery (92-96): 12 school records; 35 individual conference titles; Seven- time All-American (100m, 200m, long jump); 1996 Olympic Trials Qualifier.

Taneeshia Jones (97-98): Five school records; NCAA qualifier 100m dash; Conference 100m dash champion; Conference freshman of the year 1998 indoors. Vonetta Jeffery

2008 BLAZERS 27 UAB Track & Field

FRESHMAN RECORDS Indoor: 55 Meters Stacey Adewakun 7.00 2005 60 Meters Taneeshia Jones 7.47 1998 200 Meters Stacey Adewakun 24.82 2005 300 Meters Amber Walker 42.11 2007 400 Meters Tara Colvin 56.40 2005 500 Meters Alina Varpiotaite 1:14.90 2006 800 Meters Alina Varpiotaite 2:13.90 2006 Mile Kendel Hood 5:07.85 2007 3000 Meters Elizabeth Hilligoss 10:03.00 2005 5000 Meters Elizabeth Hilligoss 17:23.09 2005 60-Meter Hurdles Taneeshia Jones 8.58 1998 High Jump Meredith George 5-8 1/2 1999 Long Jump Vonetta Jeffery 19-11 1993 Triple Jump Nakeshia Jackson 37-2 1/2 1998 Pentathlon Timara McMillan 2,985 2007

Outdoor: 100 Meters Taneeshia Jones 11.54 1998 200 Meters Teneeshia Jones 23.88 1998 400 Meters Tara Colvin 53.85 2005 800 Meters Alina Varpiotaite 2:10.78 2006 1500 Meters Lori Ursey 4:36.55 1996 3000 Meters Elizabeth Ambrus 10:08.60 2004 5000 Meters Kristina Olsen 17:56.60 2007 10,000 Meters Kristina Olsen 37:35.46 2007 100-Meter Hurdles Nakeshia Jackson 13.86 1998 400-Meter Hurdles Nakeshia Jackson 59.00 1998 3000-Meter Steeplechase Whitney Mays 10:45.60 2005 High Jump Meredith George 5-6 1/2 1999 Long Jump Vonetta Jeffery 20-9 3/4 1992 Triple Jump Vonetta Jeffery 40-0 1992 Shot Put Alecia Robertson 35-1 1/4 1995 Heptathlon Nakeshia Jackson 4,647 1998

Kristina Olsen Meredith George Freshman Records Freshman

28 2008 BLAZERS UAB Track & Field

Dr. Carol Garrison, President

r. Carol Z. Garrison became expected in 2009. It will bring These changes and others are guided by UAB’s D President of UAB in 2002 and together maternity and women's strategic plan. UAB has enhanced its honors pro- oversees Alabama’s largest employer, health care services now located in grams, creating a Science and Technology Honors with 16,000 faculty and staff, several areas of existing space Program for undergraduates and a Global and 16,000 students, and a $1.4 billion throughout UAB Hospital. The Community Leadership Honors program. The budget. UAB is approaching $500 building also will contain 60,000 plan also calls for tripling the number of active million in sponsored research, and is square feet for UAB's new radiation alumni by 2010. among the top universities in the oncology facility. In Spring 2008, Dr. Garrison is a UAB alum, having country federal funding. UAB will open a new academic received her master’s degree in 1976. She As president of UAB, Dr. Garri- building that will house the School earned her bachelor’s (1974) and Ph.D. in epi- son also chairs the board of the UAB Health Sys- of Social and Behavioral Sciences offices, as well demiology (1982) from the University of North tem, which includes the UAB Hospital, The as Communication Studies. This structure will Carolina-Chapel Hill. She was a faculty mem- Kirklin Clinic, and other of UAB’s nationally serve as one of the anchors for the Campus ber, department chair, dean of the graduate ranked patient care facilities. Green. The Green quickly is becoming the focal school and provost at the University of South UAB, a bustling urban campus covering point for student activities. The open area Carolina. She joined the University of some 80 city blocks on Birmingham’s Southside, designed for students to utilize for outdoor activ- Louisville as provost in 1997 and was appoint- is undergoing a construction boom. Construc- ities, continues to evolve with plans for an open- ed interim president there in 2002, before tion for UAB's new, $140 million Women and air stage recently approved. Bordering the open being selected UAB’s sixth president. Infants' Facility will began in 2007, with com- space are the UAB Commons on the Green din- pletion of the 600,000-square-foot facility ing facility and Blazer Hall. Brian Mackin, Athletics Director

rian Mackin, a former UAB has been responsible for the creation zation where he spent one season. Mackin then B baseball letterman who has of several affinity groups including joined Vulcan Materials, where he held manage- headed up the athletics development the Athletic Investors Group, the ment positions in sales and market analysis. In office since spring of 2002, was Champion Club, and the Blazer 1990, he joined Southern Ready Mix as sales named the Blazers’ new director of Club, which brought together the manager before joining Dunn Construction in athletics in February, 2007. two annual funds supporting foot- 1993 where he rose to vice president in 1999. His Mackin joined UAB just over ball and men’s basketball. responsibilities included business development, five years ago as senior associate ath- Prior to joining UAB, Mackin sales and project management. letic director for external affairs served as Manager of Corporate Mackin’s community activities include the responsible for fund-raising, corpo- Business Development at Vulcan Birmingham Tip-Off Club, which hosts the State rate support and marketing for the athletic Materials, where he was responsible for exam- High School Final Four, the Monday Morning department. ining potential new markets for business devel- Quarterback Club and the Birmingham Rotary In 2006, Mackin was named Division I-A opment and locating growth opportunities in Club. He has served as the president of the Birm- Fundraiser of the Year by the National Association the industry. ingham Tip-Off Club. of Athletic Development Directors. Under Mackin earned his bachelor’s degree in Mackin, who attended St. Francis Xavier Ele- Administration UAB Mackin’s leadership, contributions to UAB athlet- finance from UAB in 1983. He was a member of mentary School, and his wife, Sally, have five chil- ics have nearly tripled from $1.3 million in 2001 the Blazer baseball team four seasons and then dren: Ragland (19), Brian, Jr. (17), Ferrel (13), to about $3.7 million in 2006. Additionally, he moved into the Houston Astros baseball organi- Mary Aileen (12), Ella (11). Dr. Johnny Scott, Faculty Athletics Rep.

r. Johnny W. Scott, professor He was promoted to associate pro- also holds a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the D of nuclear medicine and assis- fessor in 1983 and professor in University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa and a mas- tant dean of the School of Medicine 1991. In 1999, he was named assis- ter’s degree in nuclear chemistry from the Univer- at UAB, was named faculty athletics tant dean for the School of Medi- sity of Pittsburgh. He earned his bachelor’s degree representative by former UAB Presi- cine to direct efforts to recruit in chemistry from Clark College in Atlanta. dent W. Ann Reynolds, June 28, minority students and faculty to the 2000. medical school. Scott joined the UAB faculty in A native of Westfield, Ala., Scott 1978 as an assistant professor of clin- received his medical degree from the ical pathology and nuclear medicine. School of Medicine at UAB. He

2008 BLAZERS 29 Summer, 1977: Coach its first season of varsity play at the Division III level. Gene Bartow is hired as Blazer volleyball and baseball win the first Great UAB’s first intercollegiate Midwest Championship. UAB places its first men’s athletics director and head tennis players, Frank Schaffner and Karl Steffen, in basketball coach. NCAA Tournament play. Preparations begin for the 1992-93: Men’s basketball reaches the NIT Final hiring of coaches and sup- Four, defeating Alabama, Clemson, Southwest port staff, recruitment of Missouri State and Providence. The nationally- student-athletes, establish- ranked UAB men’s tennis team participates in the ment of the Golden 100 NCAA Tournament for the first time. Blazer volley- scholarship foundation, ball, cross country and scheduling, etc. President S. Richardson tennis teams all win Great Hill proudly waves a Fall, 1978: UAB athletic Midwest Conference bumper sticker to com- teams begin intercollegiate championships. memorate UAB’s hiring of competition for the first January, 1993: UAB Gene Bartow from UCLA. time; the university begins announces that its football an 11-year association with the Sun Belt program will compete at Conference. the NCAA I-AA level, Nov. 24, 1978: The UAB men’s basketball team beginning with the 1993 plays its first game, a 66-54 loss to Nebraska before season. a crowd of 14,800 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic 1993-94: Blazer teams win Center; UAB will go on to win 20 or more games 15 six league championships, times, appear in 11 NCAA Tournaments and eight and UAB wins the Great NITs. Midwest Conference March, 1981: The Blazer men’s basketball team Commissioner’s Cup, defeats Kentucky in the NCAA Mideast Regional, awarded to the university and reaches the NCAA “Sweet 16.” This appear- with the most successful ance marks the beginning of a streak of seven con- overall athletics program. Players such as All- secutive NCAA Tournaments for UAB (1981-87). The Lady Blazer basket- American Steve Mitchell have helped UAB basket- ball team goes 14-0 vs. March, 1982: UAB adds to its amazing basketball ball make 19 post-season GMW opponents and success story, defeating Indiana and Virginia in the appearances. makes its first appearance Southeast Regional, and reaching the NCAA “Elite in the NCAA Tournament. Men’s basketball is Eight.” The Southeast Regional in Birmingham is nationally-ranked and participates in the NCAA the first of five NCAA Tournament events to be host- Tournament. ed by UAB (’82, ’84, ’85, ’87, ’88). August, 1994: UAB announces that its football pro- March, 1989: Blazer basketball reaches the NIT gram will compete at the NCAA I-A level and that Final Four, defeating Michigan State for third place the school will field a women’s soccer team begin- at Madison Square Garden. ning with the 1996 season. Fall, 1989: The UAB Club Football team is organ- 1994-95: UAB soccer wins the Great Midwest Con- ized; the team goes 0-6 in its first season. ference Championship and participates in the NCAA 1990-91: The Blazer baseball team wins its first Sun Tournament. UAB wins GMW championship in Belt Conference Championship and becomes the men’s and women’s tennis, women’s indoor track & first UAB team other than men’s basketball to partic- field, women’s outdoor track & field and men’s golf. ipate in the NCAA Tournament. Men’s tennis wins April 24, 1995: UAB becomes a charter member of the first of five consecutive conference champi- Conference USA. onships in the Sun Belt and Great Midwest Conferences. Volleyball wins the first of three con- March 26, 1996: One era ends and another begins secutive championships in the Sun Belt and Great as coach Gene Bartow steps down as head men’s Midwest conferences and makes its first of four con- basketball coach. secutive post-season appearances. November 14, 1996: Conference USA announces 1991-92: UAB begins competition in the Great that UAB has been admitted as a football-playing Midwest Conference. The UAB football team begins member; the Blazers will begin C-USA play in 1999. 1997-98: UAB freshman Mirela Vladulescu takes University, where it garnered a tie for 12th place. the women’s collegiate tennis world by storm, win- Senior women’s tennis player Mirela Vladulescu fin- ning both the ITA Clay Court National Championship ished off a four-year career as one of the most suc- and Riviera Women’s All-America Championship; cessful athletes in UAB history. The men’s soccer she is the first UAB tennis player to win a collegiate team made it to the NCAA Tournament for the sec- grand slam event. Vladulescu will later be the top- ond straight year. The football team finished 7-4 ranked player in the NCAA rankings for much of the overall, becoming the first “bowl-eligible” Blazer 1997-98 season. The men’s golf team receives a squad since UAB moved to the NCAA I-A level in bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 1996. The women’s basketball team, led by junior school history. All-American Deanna Jackson, 1998-99: The Blazer men’s basketball team makes finished the season its 10th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. 20-11 and advanced Mirela Vladulescu returns to the NCAA Tournament to the WNIT. In just for the second consecutive year, despite an injury- its second season, plagued season. the synchronized swimming team 1999-00: UAB athletics has arguably its best sea- In what is regarded as the greatest son to date. The placed fourth at the win in UAB football history to date, UAB football team U.S. Collegiate the Blazers went to Baton Rouge, becomes an official Championships and La., and stunned LSU, 13-10. member of eighth at the U.S. Conference USA and Nationals. goes 4-2 in confer- 2001-02: Led by All-American Graeme McDowell, ence play during its who was the No. 1-ranked golfer in the nation, the inaugural season. UAB men made their third consecutive appearance The UAB men’s soc- (fourth overall) in the NCAA Tournament. The Blazer cer team wins the football squad again boasted another "bowl eligible" Conference USA season, as the team went 6-5 in 2001. The men's Championship and soccer team made its third consecutive trip (fourth reaches the NCAA overall) to the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Elite Eight. "Sweet 16." The UAB softball team had its best Synchronized swim- Mirela Vladulescu was the No. 1- season to date, advancing to the C-USA Champ- ranked singles player in the NCAA ming finishes fourth ionship game and boasting a 39-22 overall record. for much of the 1997-98 season. in the country at the Denise Peters and Lisa Nowoslawski of the U.S. Collegiate women's soccer team were both named Verizon Championships in its inaugural season. Women’s Academic All-Americans. In addition, Peters was basketball reaches the “Sweet 16,” the men’s tennis named the C-USA Women's Soccer Scholar Athlete team makes its fifth NCAA Tournament appearance of the Year. Synchronized Swimming earned its and men’s golf makes its second NCAA Tournament highest finish to date at the U.S. Collegiate appearance in three years. Championships, taking third. Four swimmers July 10, 2000: Gene Bartow announces his retire- received Academic All-America honors and three ment as athletics director after 23 years of service to swimmers were named All-Americans by the U.S. the university. Synchronized Swimming Coaches Committee. August 22, 2000: Herman Frazier is named UAB’s April 4, 2002: Athletics Director Herman Frazier second athletics director. and UAB President Ann Reynolds announce the hiring of Mike Sept. 23, 2000: In what was arguably Anderson as UAB's third men's bas- the greatest win in UAB football histo- ketball coach. ry, the Blazers go to Baton Rouge, La. and upset SEC foe LSU, 13-10, November 14, 1996: Conference on a game-winning field goal by Rhett USA announces that UAB has been Gallego in the waining seconds. admitted as a football-playing mem- ber; the Blazers will begin C-USA 2000-01: Led by sophomore All- play in 1999. American Graeme McDowell, the The UAB men’s soccer team cele- men’s golf team finished ninth in the brates its 1999 Conference USA November 21, 2002: Watson Brown NCAA Tournament and advanced to Tournament Championship. The team is named UAB‘s third athletics direc- went on to advance to the Elite Eight tor. its first NCAA Championship at Duke round of the NCAA Tournament. 2002-03: In his first season at the helm of the men’s first bowl game basketball program, Mike Anderson guided the appearance in Blazers to a 21-win season and a quarterfinal finish in school history as the the National Invitation Tournament. Lisa Nowoslawski Blazers faced capped off her career for the women’s soccer pro- Hawai’i in the 2004 gram by earning several prestigious academic Sheraton Hawai’i awards, including an NCAA Postgraduate Bowl. The Blazers Scholarship, the C-USA Postseason Scholarship fell to the Warriors, Award and First-Team Verizon / CoSIDA Academic 59-40, on Christmas All-America honors for the second straight year. The Eve in Honolulu, A record crowd of 44,669 Blazer synchronized swimming team posted its second Hawai’i. fans were on hand at Legion Field straight third-place finish at the U.S. Collegiate to watch UAB play Southern Miss in Spring, 2006: The Championships and recorded a fourth place finish, its 2003. UAB men’s basket- highest to date, at the U.S. National Championships. ball team earned its third consecutive trip to the NCAA Six swimmers received Academic All-America honors Tournament after finishing as Conference USA regular and three swimmers were named All-Americans by season and tournament runner-up. The synchronized the U.S. Synchronized Swimming Coaches swimming team took fourth place at the U.S. Committee. Collegiate Nationals. The Blazer softball team turned Sept. 4, 2003: The UAB football team plays host to in one of its finest seasons in program history as the Southern Miss in front of the biggest crown in UAB team won 31 games during the season to history, and the most people ever to watch a finish at the C-USA runner-up. Head coach Marla Conference USA football game when 44,669 people Townsend was named the C-USA coach-of-the-year. flocked to Legion April 7, 2006: Mike Davis Field. was named as the fourth October 31, 2003: head basketball coach in the With a dominating 2- program’s 28-year history. 0 win on the road Fall, 2006: UAB’s fall sports against USF, the teams made three NCAA UAB women's soc- tournament appearances, cer team earned its claimed three C-USA titles first Conference USA and beat the No. 1 team in Mike Davis was named the fourth Championship and the country. The UAB cross head coach in UAB men's basket- set the school record country team won the confer- ball history on April 7, 2006. for shutouts in a sea- ence championship and head son with nine. The coach Ray Stanfield was Blazers' Tara Kidwell and Jill Knottek each scored named C-USA Coach of the second-half goals to lead UAB to its momentous victo- Year. The women's soccer ry. The 2004 UAB women’s team ran through the C-USA soccer squad captured its March, 2004: The UAB men's basketball team shocks tournament, and earned a second straight C-USA the college basketball world with its 76-75 upset over berth in the NCAA tourna- title and advanced to the top-seeded Kentucky to advance to the Sweet 16 of ment. UAB’s men's soccer second round of the the NCAA Tournament. The Blazers would finish the team beat the No. 1 team in NCAA Tournament. season with a 22-10 overall record and ranked No. 23 the country during the regular in the country. Also, the Blazers' 12-4 record in season and hosted a first-round NCAA tournament Conference USA earned them a share of the first C- game. To conclude the fall sports season, the Blazer USA regular season championship. Head coach Mike volleyball squad won its first-ever Conference USA Anderson was also named the 2004 Conference USA tournament title and made its first appearance in the Coach of the Year. NCAA tournament. Spring, 2004: The synchronized swimming team Spring, 2007: Zach Sucher matched UAB’s highest posted is third straight third-place finish at the U.S. finish ever at the NCAA Men’s Golf Championships, Collegiate Championships and recorded a fifth-place closing the tournament tied for fourth place with a finish at the U.S. National Championships. five-under 275 during four rounds of play. Sucher because just the fourth UAB men’s golfer in program Fall, 2004: The UAB women’s soccer team claimed history to earn All-American status, nabbing a spot on the C-USA tournament title with a thrilling 2-1 victory the Honorable Mention All-America team. In addition, over host and regular-season champion Saint Louis in the men’s golf team made its fourth NCAA Regional St. Louis, Mo., to earn their first NCAA Tournament appearance in the past eight years. 32 birth in school history. The UAB football team made its