Jan. 27, 2006

Memphis, Tenn. - The Memphis track and field teams are set for their third meets of the 2005-06 indoor season, as both teams will travel to Carbondale, Ill., this weekend for the McDonald's Invitational, hosted by Southern Illinois University.

The return trip to Carbondale, is a change in the schedule for the women's squad and the men's field events, which had been slated to travel to Baton Rouge, La., for the LSU's Bayous Bengal Invitational. However, complications with the trip arose, and the teams opted to stay closer to home and head back to SIU for the McDonald's Invite.

Both the women's team and men's field events competed in the Saluki Booster Invitational last weekend in Carbondale.

For the men's runner, this will be their first trip to SIU, after competing in the Razorback Invitational last weekend at the University of Arkansas.

The U of M saw several strong performances at last weekend's pair of meets, specifically from throwers J.D. Erickson and Susan King, 400m runner Austin Hunter and hurdler Josetta Brooks.

The squads will look for further improved showings at the McDonald's Invitational, as all of the U of M athletes will be in for a stern test with a number of top teams, as well as individual athletes, expected to take part in the meet.

Competition at the McDonald's Invitational is set to begin at 4:00 p.m. Friday with field events, and will resume at 10:00 a.m. Saturday with more field events, followed by the start of running events at 10:30 a.m.

Results for the meet will be available at the SIU website, www.siusalukis.com, and will also be posted at gotigersgo.com following the completion of the meet.