June 13, 2003

SACRAMENTO, Calif.- Action continued at the 2003 NCAA Track & Field Championships on Thursday and Friday.

Memphis athlete Gaute Myklebust, who was named 2003 C-USA Outdoor Track & Field Athlete of the Year competed in his second event Thursday, the discus throw. Myklebust entered the competition with a Memphis school record and best throw of 58.33 meters.

Myklebust placed 14th in the qualifying round with a toss of 55.34 meters and failed to advance to the finals in the discus competition. This marks the end of a stellar junior season for Myklebust.

A duo of Texans provided the top marks in the discus qualifying round. SMU's Hannes Hopley threw 59.20 meters to place first while Jason Young of Texas Tech threw 58.07 meters to finish second. Another Texan John Ralston of Texas A&M was the final qualifier with his toss of 55.84 meters. The top-twelve qualifiers advanced to the finals.

With Myklebust's two event competitions complete, Mate Nemeth is the lone Memphis Tiger still competing in Sacramento. Nemeth will run in the 3000 meter steeplechase finals tonight scheduled for 8:10 p.m.