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Dec. 15, 2004

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The University of Tennessee women's track & field program, which posted finishes of fourth and seventh, respectively, at the 2004 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships, has added to its talent pool with what Track & Field News rates the No. 5 recruiting class in the nation. The ranking applies to the 2003-04 signing class, which has been on campus since August and will begin competition in January of 2005.

In its assessment of Tennessee, TFN says "Double sprint All-American Cleo Tyson (100m/200m) joins with 2003 All-American Courtney Champion (100m/200m) and LaTonya Loche (100m/200m) to give J.J. Clark a powerful sprint corps. Patricia Hall (400m/400m hurdles) brings help from the JC ranks." The Lady Vols rank behind LSU, South Carolina, Stanford and Southern California, while Cal, Texas, Pittsburgh, North Carolina and Florida round out the top 10.

Rookies Tyson, Champion and Loche, and junior college transfer Hall highlight an 11-person crop of newcomers which should bolster a roster stocked with 19 returning letterwinners, six of whom are All-Americans. Other key additions include juniors Ariel Brooks and April Thomas and freshman Shanna Dickenson in the throws and sophomore transfer Robin Mortel in the middle distance area.

The Big Orange women crank up the 2005 indoor campaign on Jan. 7, when they host the Tennessee All-Comers Meet at Stokely Athletics Center.