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As usual, Tennessee's men will get off to a fast start at the SEC outdoor track and field championships.

That's because the decathlon is the opening event and nobody in the SEC does decathlons like UT.

However, holding on to the team lead for four days as the Vols did last year will be tough.

The meet begins today at Auburn and concludes Sunday.

Tennessee is the defending champion after ending a four-year Arkansas reign last year. The Razorbacks, who have won 13 of 16 outdoor titles (UT claimed the other three) since joining the SEC, finished third behind LSU.

Arkansas has special motivation to get back on top this year since long-time coach John McDonnell is retiring.

"I see four teams battling, with LSU probably in front,'' said UT coach Bill Webb. "Arkansas, Florida and us are all within 10 points of each other. Any of the four can win it.''

The Vols struck big-time in the short sprints last year, scoring three runners in both the 100 and 200 and winning the 4x100 relay.

Everybody's back, but the 100 and 200 are so competitive it will be a difficult for UT to match its '07 points haul.

Rubin Williams hopes to notch one more 200-meter title to close out his SEC career. Jangy Addy is the defending champ in the decathlon.

Another defending champ is a question mark. Pole-vaulter Michael Hogue has been limited by a back injury, but freshman Joseph Berry is a title contender.

Joining Addy in the decathlon is freshman Michael Ayers. Ayers finished third in the SEC heptathlon indoors.

"We are taking a tough, seasoned bunch,'' said Webb. "I feel good about the group.''

Men's Golf: New talent seems to be coming of age at the right time as the Vols enter the NCAA Central Regional at Scarlet Golf Course in Columbus, Ohio, today.

Sophomore David Holmes finished a career-best sixth in the SEC championships recently after shooting a 1-under-par 215 for 54 holes.

Freshman Robin Wingardh was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team after gaining top-10 finishes in two tournaments.

Also on the five-man UT team expected to compete are Charlie Ford, Philip Pettitt and Chris Paisley.

The Vols are seeded fifth. Twenty-seven teams are competing.

The top 10 teams from the regionals as well as the top two individuals not on a qualifier advance to the NCAA Championships on May 28-31 at West Lafayette, Ind.

Women's Basketball: Tennessee Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt, along with Kansas' Bill Self received the Winged Foot Award, given annually by the New York Athletic Club to the national championship coaches.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.