April 13, 2003

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.-Competing in what is refered to as the biggest track meet of the year in the Mid-South area, three Memphis Tigers represented their school very well on a big stage by placing high and earning NCAA qualifying marks at the Sea Ray Relays hosted this week by the University of Tennessee.

Memphis sent three athletes to Knoxville and all three were successful. Istvan Kerekjarto, ran a NCAA Qualifying time of 1:48.61 and placed second in the 800m run. Kerekjarto was already qualified in the 1500m, but the 800m is his primary race. Kerekjarto is the first freshman at Memphis to qualify for NCAA Outdoors since Austin Dickison qualified in the 100m dash in 1994.

Gaute Myklebusts, who was already qualified for NCAA Regionals placed second in the open Shot Put with a mark of 18.23m. He also set a new school record in the Discus with a toss of 58.31m (191-05.25) breaking Tyler Higgins' 29 year-old record of 181-09.75 that he set in 1973. Mate Nemeth qualified in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 8:50.92. He is the first Memphis Tiger to ever qualify for NCAA's in that event.

Including Gary Nemeth, who earned an NCAA Qualifying mark in the 200m dash at Mississippi State this weekend, Memphis now has five athletes, in seven events heading to Columbus, Ohio on May 30 for the NCAA Mid-Eastern Outdoor Track Regional. This group is the first Tigers to qualify for the post-season since Delvit Rogers in 2000. Already it's the most athletes Memphis has ever sent to NCAA's. Memphis has more athletes on the verge of qualifying for NCAA Regionals.

It is important to note that the format for NCAA Qualifying has changed in 2003. No longer are automatic bids awarded. Now athletes must advance through regional meets and the standards have been lowered slightly.