Aug. 4, 2005

Memphis, Tenn. - Former University of Memphis track and field standout Gaute Myklebust recently qualified to compete in the 2005 IAAF World Championships of track and field and is scheduled to take to the ring Friday evening, Aug. 5, for qualifying rounds of the discus.

The 2004 Memphis graduate, who holds Tiger records in both the discus (199-08") and shot put (61-07.25") met the World Championship qualifying standard with a throw of 207-09" at a meet in Helsingborg, Sweden last month and will compete for his home country of Norway in the IAAF meet.

With the accomplishment, the Sand, Norway native becomes the first Memphis athlete, former or present, to compete in the World Championships of track and field.

In addition to his U of M records, Myklebust racked up numerous honors in just two years in Memphis. He became the first Memphis All-American in over 20 years with his fourth-place finish in the discus at 2004 NCAA Championships. He claimed back-to-back C-USA championships in both the discus and shot put and was twice named the Conference USA Male Outdoor Athlete of the Year (2003 & 2004). Even more impressively, he carried his talents beyond the track, being named to the 2004 CoSIDA Academic All-District team and receiving the C-USA Scholar Athlete Award.

Should Myklebust advance past Friday's qualifying rounds, he will move on to the discus finals, which are slated for Saturday evening, Aug. 6.