Nov. 30, 2006

MEMPHIS - The Kevin Robinson era of Memphis track and field officially begins Friday as the Tiger track and field squads head to Jonesboro, Ark. for the Arkansas State Kickoff Klassic. The meet will open Memphis' indoor season and will be the first for Robinson as a head coach.

"I'm really excited to see where our kids are," said Robinson. "I think our sprinters have trained harder than I've ever seen them train before, and I am excited to see how they will compete. We have an entirely new staff, and we're all looking forward to working together for the first time."

The meet will be a two day competition with events split between Friday and Saturday.

Memphis will take a small squad, including just 12 men and 15 women. However, the Tigers should be very competitive, particularly in the throwing events where senior All-American Gail Lee will compete indoors for the first time since the 2005 NCAA Championships.

Lee, the school record holder in the indoor and outdoor shot put, weight throw and hammer throw, redshirted the 2006 indoor season. Fellow throwers Susan King and Sivan Aballi both qualified for the 2006 NCAA Regionals and should challenge Lee for the meet title.

On the men's side, Robinson is eager to see senior jumps competitor Brandon Winbush. Winbush is a two-time NCAA Regional qualifier with a personal best of 23-06 in the indoor long jump.

"Brandon has been amazing in training so far," said Robinson. "I think he's got a chance to go 25 feet in the long jump this season, and hopefully he can get off to a good start tomorrow."

Robinson and his staff are also anxious to see the debut of transfers Andre Hicks and Glen Edwards. The pair helped to lead Barton Community College to a junior college national title last year. Hicks will specialize in the high jump as well as the 60 meters during the indoor season. Edwards should be one of the team's top scorers in the shot put.