Oct. 6, 2004

Memphis, Tenn. --- The University of Memphis men's track team has announced the addition of seven newcomers for the 2004-05 season. The group, which includes six athletes from the Memphis area, should add much depth to an already talented men's squad.

The most experienced and accomplished member of the group is 6-4, 300 pound J.D. Erickson from Christian Brothers High in Memphis. He transfers to U of M from Mississippi State, where he earned three letters and was a seven-time All-SEC performer. He is expected to continue this success and be among the Conference-USA leaders in the throwing events.

Two other transfers, Imre Lorincz and Brandon Winbush should have major influences in the jumping picture for the 2004-05 team. Lorincz, a long jumper from Janossomorja, Hungary, is the lone newcomer from outside the Memphis area. His long list of accomplishments includes a career best jump of 26ft, which should rank him at the top of the conference.

Winbush is formerly of Bartlett High School, where he was the 2003 Tennessee state long jump champion, and also held the state triple jump record. He transfers to Memphis after a year at St. Augustine's College in North Carolina.

The four freshmen slated to join the team for the upcoming season are Alex Hartsell, Daemien Jefferson, Jason Morgan, and Courtney Taylor, all from Memphis area high schools.

Hartsell, from Germantown, joins the U of M squad after a stint in the United States Military, and should add much needed depth in the middle to longer distance events.

Taylor and Jefferson, were both standouts in football and track in high school and should have substantial impacts in the sprints for years to come.

Jefferson, from Craigmont High, was runner-up in the 100m at last year's state championships, is expected to run primarily the 100m and 200m, while Taylor, from Ridgeway, will focus more on the 400m.

Morgan, from Houston High, is a great all-around athlete, and will compete in a number of events. His largest impact however, should be in the decathlon, an event in which he was the 2004 Tennessee state runner-up.

"This is a really good group of athletes," said throws and jumps coach Kevin Robinson. "With them and the guys we have coming back, it will be exciting."

2004-04 Newcomers:

	Name	        Class	Event	Hometown/Previous School
	J.D. Erickson	Jr. 	Throws	Memphis, Tenn./Mississippi St.
	Imre Lorincz	Jr.	Jumps	Janossomorja, Hungary/Vas-Es Villamosipari
	Brandon Winbush	So.	Jumps	Memphis, Tenn./St. Augustine's (N.C.)
	Alex Hartsell	Fr.	Distance	Germantown, Tenn./Germantown
	Daemien Jefferson	Fr.	Sprints	Memphis, Tenn./Craigmont
	Jason Morgan	Fr.	Decathlon	Germantown, Tenn./Houston
	Courtney Taylor	Fr.	Sprints	Memphis, Tenn./Ridgeway