Feb. 9, 2012

Memphis, Tenn.- Memphis track and field returns to action this weekend at the Vulcan Invitational in Birmingham, Ala. The two-day meet is slated to start Friday at the Birmingham Crossplex, the site of this year's Conference USA Indoor Championships. This is the fifth event of the indoor season for the Tigers, and their second trip to Birmingham for competition.

Beginning at 4 pm, day one will include both track and field events. Friday's field events include men's and women's shot put and long jump, men's pole vault, and women's high jump. Track events opening competition include the men's and women's one-mile run, distance medley, 5000-meter run, 60-meter dash preliminaries, and 60-meter hurdle preliminaries. Results from the Vulcan Invitational will be posted on gotigersgo.com as soon as they become available.

Where the Tigers Stand
In the latest United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association South Region Rankings, the Memphis men's squad checked in at number nine. In the men's event rankings James Maglasang currently ranks seventh in the one mile run, Karlis Pujats is second in the pole vault, and Marc Klaschka ranks fifth in the heptathlon. For the women Cyarra Wells takes the number seven spot in the weight throw.

The Tigers continue to keep pace in the most recent C-USA Performance Standings. The women's standings are highlighted by Cyarra Well's number one ranking in the weight throw, Kala Funderburk's number three ranking in the 400-meter dash, Laura Toldy's third place ranking in the pentathlon. Wells, along with Allison Hotz, Anna Bischof, and Britta Jaarats hold four places in the shot put top 10.

For the men, senior and defending C-USA Indoor Pole Vault Champion Karlis Pujats ranks first in the event. Robert Jackson, also a defending C-USA Indoor Champion, holds the second spot in the 60-meter hurdles. Sophomore Darius Lynwood is currently tied for first in the high jump. James Maglasang checks in at sixth in the 1-mile run, while fellow runner Fabian Feige currently ranks fifth in the 800-meter run.

Last Time Out
Before the Tigers took a week off from action they last competed in the Blue Grass state at the McCravy Memorial Meet hosted by the University of Kentucky. The event was highlighted by Karlis Pujats' second place finish in the men's pole vault. Pujats' turned in a season's best performance clearing 5.32m (17-05.50). The performance was among the top 10 in NCAA Division I, and garnered the senior C-USA Male Athlete of the Week.