March 22, 2008

Complete Results

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Solid performances on both the men's and women's side lead University of Memphis track and field to a positive showing in the first meet of the outdoor season at the Rhodes Open. The Tigers recorded seven NCAA Mideast Regional qualifying marks.

Sophomore giant Steffen Nerdal was solid on the day as he won the men's hammer and discus for the second year in a row with a throw of 64.12 meters (210-04). Teammates Seth Major and Knut Syversen took down third and fourth place showings with marks of 50.19 meters (164-08) and 49.48 meters (162-04). Nerdal qualified for NCAA regionals in both events.

The triple threat of Glen Edwards, Major and Syversen, went 1-2-3 in the men's shot. Edwards led the way with 16.50 meters (54-01.75), Major had a throw of 16.40 meters (53-03.75) and Syversen finished with a mark of 16.25 meters (53-03.75).

Following an impressive 1-2-3 in the men's shot put, Memphis carried it's momentum into the discus where it recorded another 1-2-3 finish, with Nerdal, Edwards and Syversen leading the way.

Senior thrower Susan King recorded a first place finish in the hammer and a second place in the discus. The All-American qualified for the NCAA regionals in the discus with a throw of 48.68 meters (159-08). She won the hammer with a toss of 49.31 meters (161-09).

Sivan Aballi qualified for the NCAA regionals in two events. She won the shot put with a mark of 15.78 meters (51-9.25) and placed third in the discus with a measurement of 48.50 meters (159-01).

Jessica Wright recorded two personal bests on the track as she blazed in both the 200 and 400 meters. Wright notched a second place showing in the 400 meters clocking a time of 56.13, beating her previous best time by almost a second. She returned to the track in the 200 meters finishing with a time of 24.94, good enough for third. Classmate Deneen Kirk placed fourth in the 200 meters with a time of 25.67 also a personal best.

Tina Sherratt led the way on the distance side a with a first place finish in the 1500 meters in a time of 4:43.92.

Freshman standout Aaron Whetstone in his first collegiate outdoor meet bested the field of triple jumpers and won the event with a mark of 15.18 meters (49-09.75) and qualified for NCAA regionals.

In the high jump, senior Chen Edri leaped to a height of 1.70 meters (5-7) in the women's high jump. All-American Charlotte Abrahamsen placed second in the javelin with a throw of 41.61 meters (136-06). Christian McDonald qualified for NCAA regionals and won the men's javelin with a mark of 61.99 meters (203-04).

Freshman hurdler Richard Lowe placed second in the men's 400 meter hurdles with a time of 53.90. Darius Anderson placed sixth in the 110 hurdles, crossing the line in 15.51. Holland Thomas ran a time of 1:03.70 in the women's 400 meter hurdles bringing home second place honors. Desiree Blow placed fifth with a time of 1:08.13.

The Tigers return to action in two weeks when they compete at the Gatorade Classic on April 4, in Cape Girardeau, Mo.