Track And Field Hosts Memphis Invitational

Friday, April 28

Memphis, Tenn.

University of Memphis

Memphis Invitational

Wade Wells, 2016-17 Men's Track and Field

Photo by: Nikki Boertman

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

2017 Memphis Invitational Schedule 2017 Memphis Invitational Start Lists

Senior Recognition to take place Saturday at 12:20 pm.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – This is it. For most of the University of Memphis track and field squads, this weekend's 2017 Memphis Invitational – the Tigers' lone home meet of the outdoor season – is the final tune-up for the conference championships that are two weeks away.

The 2017 Memphis Invitational is set to start at 3 p.m. (CT) Friday afternoon with field events, and running events begin at 5 p.m. (CT). On Saturday, the action starts with field events at 10 a.m. (CT) and running events at 12 p.m. (CT). After Saturday's first running event at 12 p.m. (CT), a senior recognition ceremony will be held at approximately 12:20 p.m. (CT).

The meet will be held at the Billy J. Murphy Track and Field Complex on the University's Park Avenue campus (1115 East Getwell Loop, Memphis, TN 38152).

The Tigers have a final regular-season meet May 6 at Ole Miss, but only a handful of athletes are scheduled to travel to Oxford, Miss., for the Ole Miss Classic next weekend. So, for head coach Kevin Robinson, Saturday's home meet is the last opportunity to fine-tune performances for the American Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships in Houston, Texas, May 12-14.

Robinson on Memphis Invitational:
"We're in a pretty good place. This outdoor season has been a grind with it being wet and windy. We haven't had a lot of luck with the conditions this year. But, we've had some athletes step up and perform well. We've had several personal-bests set throughout the season.

"Weather-permitting, this weekend should be very good for us. This meet should help propel us into the conference championships in a couple of weeks.

"This is the biggest meet we've hosted since I've been here, and it's grown over the years. We're excited about this weekend. We have some quality teams coming here. It's a great chance to showcase our facility, and also have our local athletes perform in front of their families and friends. This meet is a great opportunity for our program."

Tigers Tidbits/Five "What To Watch For":

Never say goodbye: After Saturday's first track event at 12 p.m. (CT), the Memphis track and field program will honor 11 performers that are competing in the final home meet of their careers. The 11 honorees are: Dorina Baiker, Meghan Christensen, Chardae Greenlee, Rebeka Holt, Alex Klatt, Destinee Lansden, Jada Parker, Yannik Schaly, Abigail Tankersley, Christopher Walker and Wade Wells.
Big meet Saturday: He's been a part of the coaching staff since 2001, and head coach Kevin Robinson calls this weekend's field of teams the largest for the annual Memphis Invitational. A total of 20 college teams from the region – including Arkansas State, Austin Peay, Belmont, Central Arkansas, Murray State, Southeast Missouri and UT Martin – are set to compete in the Tigers' two-day meet.
Honors week: This weekend's Memphis Invitational will be the culmination of a week of honors for the Tigers track and field program. On Monday, the athletics department – with assistance from the University's commencement office – held its first early graduation ceremony for the baseball, softball and track and field programs. Those three teams will miss the regular commencement May 6 due to athletic competition conflicts. The seven track and field performers who walked at early graduation were: Meghan Christensen, Chardae Greenlee, Rebeka Holt, Alex Klatt, Yannik Schaly, Luke Vaughn and Christopher Walker. The accolades kept rolling in for the Tigers at the athletic department's annual A Night at the PAWScars awards ceremony Wednesday. Antaun Andrews took home the Motivational Award, and Aaron Persinger received the All-Around Tiger Award.
Rain, rain, go away: For the third time this season and the second-straight weekend, the Tigers track and field teams find their meet facing the threat of inclement weather. The forecast calls for only a 20 percent chance of rain Friday and Saturday. In this season's earlier meets (at Ole Miss, at Arkansas State), Memphis had the possibility of inclement weather, but both times the meets were able to run without a stoppage of action.
Let's make it six: The Tigers are looking for a sixth-straight sweep of the men's and women's javelin titles this weekend. Michael Criticos and Ashley Pryke have won the men's and women's javelin titles, respectively, at all five meets this outdoor campaign. Criticos' 226-7 (69.06m) throw at the Mar. 31-Apr. 1 Joey Haines Invitational was a season-best and is second in The American. Pryke won last week's Red Wolves Open javelin crown with a school-record 177-5 (54.09m) throw. Pryke, the reigning conference Female Field Athlete of the Week, has the nation's fifth-best mark in the event.