Feb. 14, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Members of the University of Memphis men's and women's track and field programs will compete in one of the most highly rated meets of the season when they travel to Fayetteville, Ark., for the University of Arkansas' Tyson Invite. The meet will run over a course of two days starting on Friday, February 15.

The meet will begin on Friday, at 9 a.m. CT, with the men's college pole vault and the women's college 5000 meters. The men's 200-meters invitational section will end the day, with start time of approximately 9:55 p.m. CT. On Saturday, the first event kicks off at 10 a.m. CT. The 4x400 meter relay, the event that will close out the festivities will go off at 5:30 p.m. CT.

The Tyson Invitational will feature several United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Top 25 teams including, Arkansas, Arizona St., Auburn, Baylor, Florida St., Georgia, Louisville, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Stanford and Texas.

The Lady Tigers will be traveling seven female athletes to the meet. Susan King, Sivan Aballi and Charlotte Abrahamsen will all be competing in the shot put. King is ranked No. 1 in the nation in the shot put, while Aballi is No. 16. Abrahamsen is ranked No. 14 in the pentathlon, as she will also be competing in the high jump over the weekend. Ashton Baldwin will be competing in the pole vault for Memphis.

LaShundra Kershaw and Jessica Wright are the only female freshmen competing. Kershaw will look to conquer the 60-meter dash, as Wright will compete in the 400-meters. Tina Sherratt is the lone distance runner as she will compete in both the 800-meters and the mile run this weekend.

On the men's side, they will be traveling nine Tigers. Memphis will pile up in the shot put as Glen Edwards, Greg Norrid, Seth Major and Knut Syversen will all enter the circle. Syversen, along with Steffen Nerdal will be competing in the weight throw.

Amaechi Oselukwue is set to compete in the 60-meter hurdles, while Frashod Barlow will sprint through the 60-meters. Seasoned vet Sam James will compete in the 800-meters.

Conference USA male indoor athlete of the week Aaron Whetstone will enter his specialties of the long and triple jump this weekend.

For complete results of the Tyson Invitational, visit www.hogwired.com or www.tysoninvitational.org.