Jan. 19, 2012

C-USA Weekley Notebook

MEMPHIS, Tenn.-After knocking off the rust at the Blazer Invitational, Memphis Track and Field has its sights set on the Gladstein Invitational Jan. 20-21. The event, hosted by Indiana University, will be the third meet of the indoor season. Memphis hopes to continue its early success in the indoor season, in which several athletes are making noise on the Conference USA indoor track and field performance lists.

Among the leaders are sophomore James Maglasang in the men's 3000-meter run (8:35.51), sophomore Stephan Ender in the 800-meter run (1:54.67), sophomore Darius Lynwood in the high jump (2.08m), senior Karlis Pujats in the men's pole vault (5.10m), freshman Kala Funderburk in the women's 400-meter dash (55.39) and freshman Cyarra Wells in the women's weight throw (18.31m).

Pujats' performance in the men's pole vault comes as no surprise, as he recently took first place at the Blazer Invitational clearing 5.10m. The senior currently holds the programs' indoor record in the event at 5.36m set in 2011. Ranked ninth in the USTFCCCA's pre-season indoor event rankings, Pujats earned the gold medal at the 2011 C-USA Indoor Championship, and qualified for the 2011 NCAA Championships.

However, a notable aspect of Memphis' solid early season performance is the number of underclassmen that are making their presence known.

"Right now this team is about 75 percent freshman and sophomore, so we're extremely young," head coach Kevin Robinson said. "I am pleased with the progress, but I don't think I am ever quite satisfied with the result, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing if I were. We have a lot of positive things going and a lot of that is spearheaded by the younger group. I think it's kind of a testament to the recruiting and the efforts the coaches have put into it and likewise the athletes."

Robinson's young squad will be tested this weekend at the Gladstein Invitational as they'll face strong competition from the Big X, Big XII, and Big East conferences. Results from the meet will be posted on gotigersgo.com as they are available.