Feb. 23, 2008

Results

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The University of Memphis trackstars competed today in the Broadway Prescription Invitational, hosted by Southeast Missouri State University. Today's competition was the last regular season indoor meet before the Conference USA Indoor Track Championships, next weekend.

As the day got under way, the men's team seemed to be leading the way.

Freshman pole vaulter Robbie Rasmussen, jumped a personal best 15-03.00, to get things started for the men.

Steffen Nerdal, who has been phenomenal over the past few weeks had a personal best and NCAA provisional qualifying mark in the weight throw. His distance of 19.56 meters (64-02.25) gave him a first place finish and a new school record. Teammate Knut Syversen also had a personal best in the event as his throw of 19.47 meters was just shy of the NCAA qualifying mark of 19.50 meters. Glen Edwards improved on his personal best by .55 meters, placing fourth for the Tigers.

Memphis snagged the top four spots in the men's long jump and the top three in the triple. Aaron Whetstone finished first with a jump of 7.04 meters (23-01.25) in the long and 14.26 meters (46-09.50) to win both events. Jerome Leslie won the high jump and took home second in the triple and third in the long. Preston Williams grabbed second in the long and third in the triple, while posting a personal best mark of 13.10 meters (42-11.75).

The men's shot put saw personal best by every athlete entered. Edwards, Syversen, Seth Major, Greg Norrid, Harding Zills all put their hearts on the line as they threw for p.b.'s all across the board. The men's throws will enter the C-USA Championships with a lot to look forward to and more p.b.'s to be seen.

Darius Anderson and Frashod Barlow blasted their personal best records in their events today. Anderson ran a time of 7.81 in the 55-meter hurdles, while Barlow crossed the line in 6.33 in the 55-meters.

The Lady Tigers continued where the men left off. Whitney Bolton got things started by winning the pole vault.

Former Tiger Gail Lee had an inpressive throw as her mark of 17.58 meters (57-08.25) in the shot put led the way, as she posted an Olympic Trial qualifying mark.

Susan King had her second best throw of her career as her mark of 16.99 meters (55-09.00) brought her home a second place finish. She also placed second in the weight throw with a distance of 17.60 meters (57-09.00).

Sivan Aballi posted a personal best and finished third in the shot put with a mark of 15.88 meters (52-01.75). Her mark is a new Israeli national record.

The trio of Chen Edri, Charlotte Abrahamsen and Eryka Morris had a 1-2-3 finish in the high jump. Edri and Abrahamsen had a finishing height of 5-06.00, placing first and second, while Morris finished third with a height of 5-02.00.

"Overall, we had a phenomenal meet, and it was a perfect final meet in preparation for the the C-USA champs next weekend," said Head Coach Kevin Robinson.

The Tigers will now put all their focus towards the C-USA Championships. The championships are being held in Houston, Texas from February 29-March 1, at the Yeoman Fieldhouse, hosted by the University of Houston.