Tigers Track And Field With Seven Top-Four Finishes Friday

Friday, January 27

Jonesboro, Ark.

University of Memphis

A-State Invitational

Ashley Pryke, 2015-16 Women's Track and Field

Photo by: Nikki Boertman

Tigers Track And Field With Seven Top-Four Finishes Friday

Jan 27, 2017 | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

A-State Invitational/First-Day Results

Teams combine for eight indoor personal-bests.

JONESBORO, Ark. – University of Memphis' Olushola Olojo and Luke Vaughn recorded second-place finishes to lead the Tigers in first-day action at the 2017 A-State Invitational Friday. Olojo placed second in the men's long jump, and Vaughn second in the men's weight throw.

Freshman Sandra Ekblom had the women's squad top finish, placing third in the long jump.

The two-day A-State Invitational continues Saturday with 22 events. The action starts at 11 a.m. (CT) with the women's triple jump. Only 10 events were held Friday.

The A-State Invitational is a team non-scoring meet.

A-State Invitational/Day One Highlights

The Tigers men's and women's squads combined for seven top-four finishes and eight indoor personal-bests.
Davon DeMoss (22.00) and Christopher Walker (22.73) set indoor personal-bests in the men's 200m. DeMoss placed fourth in the event.
All three runners in the men's 3000m – Matthew Viveiros (8:29.85), James Durkin (9:00.99) and Colby Caldwell (9:48.56) – set indoor personal-bests. Viveiros finished third in the 3000m.
Sophomore Olushola Olojo, the 2016 American Athletic Conference Indoor Championships long jump runner-up, placed second in the event Friday (23-1.25; 7.04m). It was Olojo's first time competing in the long jump this season.
Junior Rafael Vallery bettered his previous best in the weight throw by nearly seven feet with his 54-0 (16.46m) toss Friday. His previous best mark was 47-2.25 (14.38m). Vallery was fourth in the event.
Freshmen Sandra Ekblom in the women's long jump (placed third) and Mona Jaidi in the women's weight throw (finished fourth) improved on their previous performances from earlier this season. Ekblom's 18-4.5 long jump was .25 inches better than her first mark (18-4.25) at the Dec. 3 Vanderbilt Opener. Jaidi's 52-11 weight throw was over five feet better than her previous mark (47-3.75).
Sophomore Ashley Pryke competed in the weight throw for the first time in her career and recorded a 42-3.5 (12.89m) toss.

Memphis Men's Results
200m – 4. Davon DeMoss, 22.00; 12. Christopher Walker, 22.73; 15. Antaun Andrews, 23.00
3000m – 3. Matthew Viveiros, 8:29.85; 8. James Durkin, 9:00.99; 13. Colby Caldwell, 9:48.56
Long jump – 2. Olushola Olojo, 23-1.25 (7.04m); 7. Simon Hosten, 22-5 (6.83m); 8. Shameek Miller, 22-4.25 (6.81m)
Weight throw – 2. Luke Vaughn, 55-10.5 (17.03m); 4. Rafael Vallery, 54-0 (16.46m); 5. Adam Neelly, 52-8 (16.05m); 10. Wade Wells, 46-2 (14.07m)

Memphis Women's Results
200m – 9. Cera Chavez, 25.73; 18. Destinee Lansden, 26.27; 22. Derriana Parrish, 26.50
Long jump – 3. Sandra Ekblom, 18-4.5 (5.60m); 19. Nicole Lawson, 16-6 (5.03m)
Weight throw – 4. Mona Jaidi, 52-11 (16.13m); 8. Ashley Pryke, 42-3.5 (12.89m)