March 12, 2005

Complete Women's Shot Put Results in PDF Format
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Fayetteville, Ark. - University of Memphis junior thrower Gail Lee set three goals going into the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday in Fayetteville, Ark., and though she did not set a personal record or make the finals, she did reach the supreme goal of being named an NCAA All-American.

With her toss of 51-00.00" (16.62m) in the final of three throws, the first semester Lady Tiger recorded a 10th place finish in the shot put, and most importantly the first-ever All-America honor for a U of M women's track and field athlete.

"Being an All-American is the ultimate honor in collegiate track and field," said Coach Kevin Robinson. "It is a huge accomplishment for both Gail and our program."

Lee, who had two throws over 50 feet, put fourth a tremendous effort, but was never able to get off her best put. Despite that however, she moved up two spots from the 12th place ranking she had entering the meet and missed the top nine and the event finals by less than two inches.

"Gail responded amazingly in the biggest meet of her life," said Robinson. "She competed well, but was just never able to get off her best throw."

The All-America accolade is just the latest of long list of accomplishments for the Fort Worth, Texas native in her first semester as a Lady Tiger. Earlier in the season she set school records in both the shot put and the weight throw, reaching NCAA provisional qualifying marks in both events. She was also a Conference USA Women's Athlete of the Week honoree and became the first women's track and field athlete ever to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships.

With her most recent honor, Lee became only the second Memphis athlete, man or woman, in over 20 years to be named an All-American. Former Tiger thrower Gaute Myklebust was the only other Memphis recipient since 1981, when he was named an All-American in the discus in 2004.

After a tremendous indoor season, Lee, along with the rest of her Lady Tiger and Tiger teammates, will now turn their attention toward the outdoor season. The first meet of the outdoor campaign will be the Spring Opener, which will be hosted in Memphis by Rhodes College next Saturday, March 19.