Lady Vols hoping for odd timing

Tennessee's women are determined to regain the championship when the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships get underway today in Lexington, Ky.

Coach J.J. Clark's Lady Vols have an odd-year thing going, winning the title in 2005 and 2007. The No. 2-ranked Lady Vols hope to add 2009 by the time the meet concludes Sunday.

Senior Sarah Bowman will have a big say in whether that happens. She's shooting for a third consecutive title in both the mile and 3,000 meters and also heads the favored distance medley relay team.

Celriece Law has the top time in the 60 hurdles. Annie Alexander is the defending champion in the shot put.

"We're coming along right on schedule,'' Clark said. "We've had some surprises (early season injuries), but we are about where I wanted us to be.''

The UT men are ranked No. 20, which puts them behind six other conference teams. But the Vols have a history of showing up big at the SEC meet; and, true to form, will field an entry in every event.

Michael Ayers has the top mark in the heptathlon, as does Brad Holtz in the pole vault and Nick Panezich in the shot put. Evander Wells ranks No. 2 in the 60.

"We'll need some other guys to step up,'' said UT coach Bill Webb, "and our team has established over the years that we can do that in this meet.''