Women's Track to Face Loaded Field at Tyson Invitational
2/11/2009 12:00:00 AM
Feb. 11, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The women's track and field team will compete at the prestigious Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark. on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13-14. The University of Arkansas' Randal Tyson Center will play host to 13 top 25 nationally ranked teams over the weekend.
"It's a great meet," head coach Sandy Fowler said. "We've been going now for the past three years. It'll be exciting to see where these other SEC teams are at and I'm sure they'll be doing the same judging of us. There will be no question where everybody is at after this weekend."
Alabama will line up against the best competition it's seen this season. The field consists of 12 top 25 nationally ranked teams, including six ranked in the top 10. The field is headed by No. 2 Tennessee and also includes No. 3 Oregon, No. 4 Michigan, No. 6 Florida State, No. 7 Texas, No. 9 Penn State, No. 11 Arkansas, No. 13 South Carolina, No. 14 Texas Tech, No. 16 North Carolina, No. 17 Florida, No. 20 Nebraska and No. 24 Auburn.
"I actually think this is like a mini SEC and maybe even a mini nationals so I think it's a great chance to compete on a very, very high stage," Fowler said. "I also think it's exciting that the girls will be able to see the professional and international athletes competing at this meet."
Also joining the Tide are nine SEC teams. The conference foes in the meet are Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Tennessee. There are a total of 48 teams competing at the Tyson Invitational.
The Crimson Tide will be looking to its nationally ranked athletes to lead the way this weekend. Kimberley Laing is ranked No. 23 in the 60m hurdles with a seasonal best time of 8.40. Chealsea Taylor is ranked No. 7 in the high jump with a seasonal best mark of 5-11.50. Lynda Cooper is ranked No. 30 in the pole vault with a seasonal best mark of 12-11.50.
In the SEC rankings, Alabama has three marks in the top five individuals in their respective events. Laing is the fourth fastest in the 60m hurdles, Taylor holds the second highest mark in the high jump and the distance medley relay team is the fourth fastest in the conference.
The meet will begin on Friday at 10:00 a.m. with the men's pole vault. The women's mile starts shortly after at 10:15 a.m. Live results can be found on ArkansasRazorbacks.com under "live stats" on the day of the meet.
Players Mentioned
