Louisville Set to Host Cardinal Challenge
April 05, 2002 | Women's Track and Field
April 5, 2002
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville men's and women's track and field teams will try to defend their titles Saturday as they play host to the Cardinal Challenge Saturday at the Cardinal Park Track Stadium.
Field events will begin at 11 a.m., while running events will start at 12:45 p.m. All throwing events will take place at the throws field located near Parkway Field, approximately 500 meters southwest of Cardinal Park. Admission at both locations is free.
Men's and women's teams from Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky, Louisville, Marquette and Western Kentucky will compete in the scored competition, while Miami (OH) is sending only its men's squad.
"This will be an exciting day of track and field competition," said U of L men's head coach Gene Weis. "Both our men's and women's teams should compete for their respective team titles, of which both won last year."
Leading the way for the Cardinal men will be seniors Mike Wolfe and John Wawrysh. Wolfe, the 2001 Conference USA pole vault champion, holds the school record in the event with a height of 15-11.75. Wawrysh finished second in the discus at last year's conference meet and has already recorded three top-five finishes this year, including a win at last week's UC Bearcat Classic.
On the women's side, senior Shola Kadiri will try to remain unbeaten at home in the shot put after winning the event at both home competitions last year. The 2002 C-USA Women's Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year shattered the school's shot put record and reached NCAA Provisional status two weeks ago with a throw of 49-5.
The Cardinal women will have five other current individual recordholders competing Saturday in senior Trish Young (javelin), juniors Lesley Drury (high jump), Alanna Mestelle (100m) and Cindy Roberson (pole vault), and sophomore Beth Wendt (300m steeplechase).
"Our women should be well rested and ready to go after taking a week off from competition," said U of L women's head coach Warren Bye. "I anticipate a strong showing from our team."
Saturday's meet is the first of three home track and field events for the Cardinals this year. Louisville will host the Cardinal Open on April 26 and will then host the 2002 Conference USA Outdoor Championships May 9-11.
