July 15, 2000

Sacramento, Calif.-- - University of Memphis long jumper Delvit Rogers (Memphis, TN/Raleigh Egypt) wrapped up his first-ever U.S. Olympic Trials competition by finishing 25th in the long jump preliminaries at Hornet Stadium, Saturday.

Rogers, the Conference USA two-time indoor long jump champion, posted a best jump of 7.39 meters (23-11.50) to finish 25th of 29 competitors.

The top 12 finishers advance to Monday's long jump finals, with the top three advancing to the Olympics Games in Sydney, Australia.

Nike's Dwight Phillips leads the long jumpers into the finals with a best jump of 8.21 meters (26-11.25). Mississippi's Savante Stringfellow, the 2000 NCAA Outdoor Long Jump Champion, is currently seeded second with a 8.19 meter (26-10.50) jump.

Rogers was one of just 10 collegians to qualify for the trials after jumping a season-best 8.03 meters at the LSU Alumni Gold Meet, Apr. 15th.

The sophomore also set the school record with that mark at LSU, shattering a school record that had stood since 1976. He was the first Tiger to qualify for the Olympic Trials since 1984.

-TIGERS-