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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Tennessee senior Jangy Addy used a world-record performance to win the SEC heptathlon.

Addy tied the indoor world record in the 60-meter hurdles in 7.74 seconds Saturday at Tyson Track Center at the University of Arkansas. Addy scored 5,836 points to not only win his second consecutive conference heptathlon but earn an automatic berth in the NCAA Championships.

UT freshman Annie Alexander won the shot put and junior Sarah Bowman won the 3,000-meter run for the second consecutive year.

The day could not have gone better for the Vols and Lady Vols.

The men are in fifth with 19 points, and the women are second with 32 points. Arkansas leads the men with 46 points and the women with 46.

The Vols and Lady Vols are in prime position to challenge for team titles today.

"We can just do what we can do," Vols coach Bill Webb said. "I'm proud of the way we competed. We're in the hunt. We're in position, but who knows what is going to happen."

Addy was joined by freshman Michael Ayers, who rallied to finish third in the heptathlon. Richard Wooten finished sixth in the weight throw for the Vols.

Addy also qualified for today's 60 hurdles final. Addy has the nation's top time.

The Vols qualified three for the finals in the 60, 800 and 200. Rubin Williams, who qualified in the 60, ran 20.55 in the 200 to easily advance.

Williams had the nation's fastest time in the 200 with a time of 20.66.

"I'm sure he's going to run well," Webb said, grinning.

Bowman hadn't run the 3,000 this year after having her appendix removed in January. She showed no ill effects in cruising to victory, followed by teammate Katie Van Horn in third place.

"I wanted to get as many points for the team," Bowman said. "Every race you want to try to win."

Alexander threw a school-record distance on her first throw to win the shot. Her last throw would also have won the event.

"Those wins weren't (predicted) on paper, so we'll take them," Lady Vols coach J.J. Clark said. "Overall, we had a very good day."

Alexander said she had to overcome some jitters to win. Clark said he had no doubt Alexander would perform well.

"I'm proud of myself," Alexander said. "I knew what I was capable of. I just went out there and did what I knew I could do."

The Lady Vols, defending conference champions, shrugged off an injury sustained by star sprinter Cleo Tyson. Tyson pulled up near the end of her 60 preliminary run with a cramp in her upper left leg.

Tyson withdrew from the 200 but she is still guaranteed a berth at nationals because of her previous 60 times.

"We definitely missed her in the 200, but every team has something happen," Clark said. "We can't look at it. We have to keep moving forward."

The Lady Vols advanced three finalists in the 60 and the mile and narrowly missed three in the 200. The Lady Vols have two finalists in the 800 and one in the 400.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.