By JIM VERTUNO, Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas (December 26, 2002 8:03 p.m. EST) - Texas women's track
coach Beverly Kearney was critically injured Thursday in a car accident
in Florida that killed a university staff member and the mother of
former world champion sprinter and Olympic medalist Michelle Freeman.
Kearney, 44, had surgery for back injuries at Shands Jacksonville
hospital Thursday, University of Texas officials said.
According to an accident report filed by the Florida Highway Patrol,
Freeman was driving a sport utility vehicle about 35 miles west of
Jacksonville at 7:57 a.m. when the vehicle crossed the median and
swerved back, causing it to roll.
Killed in the accident was Ilrey A. Sparks of Austin, 40, an academic
counselor for women's athletics at Texas. Freeman's mother, Muriel
Wallace, 63, who also lived in Austin, also was killed.
Freeman, 33, a former world indoor champion in the 100 meters who also
won bronze in the 400-relay for Jamaica in 1996, was listed in good
condition. Sparks' toddler daughter, Imani, 2, was also in the vehicle
and was listed in fair condition on the accident report.
Freeman, Wallace and Imani Sparks were wearing seatbelts, the accident
report said. Kearney and Ilrey Sparks were not and were both thrown from
the vehicle. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash, the police report said.
A seven-time national coach of the year, Kearney has led the Texas women
to four NCAA national team championships and 13 league titles in the Big
12 and Southwest conferences since 1993.
Kearney has coached 22 Longhorns to 29 national titles in individual and
relay events, has had 33 All-Americans at Texas.
Kearney coached at the University of Florida from 1988 to 1992, where
she led the Gators to three Southeastern Conference titles. Sparks and
Freeman both ran for Kearney at Florida. The Gators won the indoor
national title in 1992 when she was voted the indoor and outdoor coach
of the year.
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