Dec. 8, 2007

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Junior Sivan Aballi competed at the Saluki Fast Start Invitational over the weekend placing third in the shot put. Aballi had a throw of 51-11.00 (15.82m), improving her NCAA qualifying mark by three centimeters.

Former Memphis athlete and current assistant coach Gail Lee also performed at the meet. She captured a first place finishing mark of 54-01 (16.48) in the same event. Both athletes are less than one and a half meters short of the 17 meter Olympic trial qualifying mark and are three feet ahead of their performances this same time last year.

"Both girls are poised to have a great season," said Head Coach Kevin Robinson. "Along with Susan(King), we have three of the best shot putters in the country."