July 6, 2007

NEW ORLEANS, La. - - Two Lady Tiger track and field athletes were recognized by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) by earning a slot on the All-Academic team it was announced by head coach Kevin Robinson, Friday. The Lady Tiger duo of Sivan Aballi, and Emily Malinowski both earned the academic honors for having a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and for having posted an NCAA automatic or provisional qualifying mark in the most recent indoor or outdoor regional championships.

"This is a huge honor for these young ladies," Robinson said. "This is a testament to their hard work both in the class room and on the track. Carol Varano, the track and field academic counselor, has done a remarkable job with our student-athletes. I expect to see more and more of these honors over the course of the following years."

The Lady Tiger duo was just two of 415 student-athletes representing 117 NCAA Division I institutions to earn the award on Friday.

Aballi, a rising senior with the track and field program, was a national qualifier in the shot put and carries a 3.949 GPA. She recently competed in the 71st Israeli Track and Field Championships in her native Israel earlier this month.

Malinowski led the Lady Tiger distance squad, qualifying for the NCAA regionals in both the 5000 meters and 3000 meter steeplechase. With a 3.844 cumulative GPA, received Conference USA all-conference honors in the indoor season after placing second in the 3,000 meter run and third in the 5,000 meter run at the 2007 championships. She was also selected to the C-USA Cross Country All-Academic team after leading the Memphis women's cross country team this fall in five meets.

The Lady Tiger track and field team recently completed its first season under Robinson's guidance, finishing in eighth place at the league outdoor championships in Houston this spring.