April 30, 2004

PALO ALTO, Calif.-Memphis sophomore distance runner Istvan Kerekjarto ran a 3:44.22 in the 1500m at the Cardinal Invitational to win the race and earn an NCAA Regional qualifying time in the event. Kerekjarto and teammate Mate Nemeth competed at the meet Friday hosted by Stanford University at Cobb Track & Angell Field.

Nemeth ran an 8:45.88 in the 3000m Steeplechase to place seventh against a field that consisted of amatuers and professionals. His time was a personal season best that ranks best in C-USA, third in the Mid-East Region and fifth in the nation as of May 1. Kerekjarto was already qualified in the 800m and for the second consecutive year he has qualified in both the 800m and 1500m. Last year, Kerekjarto did not compete in the post-season as a true freshman because of a knee injury.

Both Kerekjarto and Nemeth will compete at the NCAA Mid-Eastern Regional on May 27-29 in Baton Rouge, La. The duo will compete for the right to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Austin, Texas on June 10-13.