Jan. 13, 2012

Blazer Invitational Day 1

Birmingham, Ala.- The University of Memphis track and field teams returned to indoor action at the Blazer Invitational hosted by UAB. The first day of competition saw the Tigers take top spots in two events and place a host of top 10 finishes.

In the Tigers first meet of 2012, both the men's and women's squads captured first place in the distance medley finals. The two first place finishes marked the first time this season that either the men's or women's teams have finished in the top spot in a non-throwing event. The men raced their way to first clocking in at 10 minutes and 13.28 seconds, while the women's team grabbed the top spot with a time of 12:18.56. Additionally, freshman Austin Carter made a strong showing the men's one mile run final as he took second place with a mark of 4:28.16.

Memphis took home a combined 6 top 10 finishes in the men's and women's shot put. Allison Hotz led the way for the women as she set a personal best of 13.72m (45-00.25) finishing fourth overall. Britta Jaarats finished fifth with a mark of 13.49m (44-03.25), while Vivian Brandhoff placed eighth at 13.15m (43-01.75).

For the men Andrew Miller edged out fellow Tiger shot putters Tom Wilcox and Matthew Sipe finishing second at 16.85m (55-03.50). Wilcox took home third place with a mark of 15.60m (51-02.25) and Sipe placed seventh at 14.22m (46-08.00).

In men's pole vault, two more Tigers landed in the top 10 as Karlis Pujats and Austin Crenshaw finished first and fourth respectively. Pujats, a nationally ranked senior, cleared 5.10m (16-08.75) while Crenshaw finished at a height of 4.80m (15-09.00). In another top 10 performance, Laura Toldy placed third in the women's high jump at 1.65m (5-05.00 ).

The Tigers pick up action again Friday Jan. 13 for the final day of competition at at 9:00 am. Results will be posted on gotigersgo.com as they become available.