Jan. 13, 2012

Blazer Invite Final Resluts

Birmingham, Ala.- The University of Memphis track and field teams completed their second meet of the indoor season Friday with strong finishes at the Blazer Invitational. Both the men and women's squads set personal bests and found top spots in the event standings.

Sophomore James Maglasang took first place in the men's 3000-meter run clocking in at 8:35.51. Maglasang's run eclipsed his previous personal best 8:42.08 set in 2011. Junior Louisa Lingley also made a strong showing in the women's 3000-meter finishing second at 10:11.75 that shattered her personal best 11:01.38 recorded in 2010.

The Tigers found the top of the podium in day one as the men and women both took first place in the distance medley. The men raced their way to first place clocking in at 10: 13.28 seconds, while the women's team grabbed the top spot with a time of 12:18.56. The two first place finishes marked the first time in the young indoor season that either the men's or women's teams have finished in the top spot in a non-throwing event.

Memphis' Karlis Pujats cleared 5.10m (16-08.75) in the pole vault, which was good enough to give the nationally ranked senior first place. Sophomore Austin Crenshaw placed fourth behind Pujats, clearing the bar at 4.80m (15-09.00). The Tiger's Janelle Mason secured fourth in the women's pole vault with a mark 3.35m (10-11.75).

Jumpers Laura Toldy and Darius Lynwood placed third respectively in the women's and men's high jump. Lynwood cleared the bar at 2.08m (6-09.75) matching his personal best, while Toldy made the leap at just shy of hers at 1.65m (5-05.00).

Freshman Cyarra Wells continued to impress in the second meet of the indoor season as she took second place in the women's weight throw. Wells' throw of 18.31m (60-01.00) broke her personal best of 17.50m (57-05.00) that she set in Dec. at the ASU Kickoff Klassic. In the Men's weight throw sophomore Austin Crenshaw, scored a top five finish with a throw of 17.25m (56-07.25).

Other Memphis men and women throwers fared well in the shot put on day one in Birmingham. The Tigers took home a combined six 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 teammate 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).

The Tigers return to indoor season action January 20-21 as they travel to Bloomington, Ind. for the Gladstein Invitational.