Track And Field At Crimson Tide Invitational This Weekend

Friday, April 6

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

3 pm

University of Memphis

Crimson Tide Invitational

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Track And Field At Crimson Tide Invitational This Weekend

Apr 05, 2018 | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

Last week's record setters back in action in Tuscaloosa.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Last weekend, Tigers head coach Kevin Robinson called it "chaos" when trying to keep up with his University of Memphis track and field program at three different meets – Texas Relays, Raleigh Relays and Southeast Missouri Joey Haines Invitational.

This weekend, Robinson can rest easy knowing his whole team is in one place: Crimson Tide Invitational in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Apr. 6-7.

The action starts Friday, Apr. 6 with the field events in the afternoon. Friday's running events begin at 8:40 p.m. (CT). The meet continues Saturday, Apr. 7 with the all-day action starting at 9 a.m. (CT).

Reunion Reminder
The Memphis track and field program is holding a reunion weekend, Apr. 27-28 on the University of Memphis campus. A special reception is scheduled for the Hardaway Hall of Fame, located at 570 Normal Street, on Friday, Apr. 27 from 7-10 p.m. (CT). The 2018 Memphis Invitational takes place Friday and Saturday, Apr. 27-28 at the Memphis Track and Field Complex located on the University's Park Avenue campus.

Head coach Kevin Robinson comments
"For the most part, last weekend (three different meets) panned out well for us. The fact that we're putting some numbers (school records) up early, that's pretty big for us. Now, we have to keep the athletes healthy and motivated.

"All in all, we had good performances last weekend. But, I'm glad we've got our entire team in one place this week. I'm excited for the opportunity we have at Alabama. It's going to be a competitive meet. If the conditions will allow it, we'll hopefully build on some of the performances we've already put up."

Teams Competing
Alabama, Chattanooga, Clemson, Coahoma CC, Hinds CC, Louisville, Memphis, Meridian CC, Miami (Ohio), Mississippi State, Northern Illinois, Oklahoma, Southern Miss, Troy, UAB

Tigers Tidbits/Five "What To Watch For":

Fourth Year In A Row: The Tigers are competing in an Alabama-hosted meet for the fourth-consecutive season. Memphis was a part of the 2015 and 2017 Crimson Tide Invitational and the 2016 Alabama Relays. However, it is the first time since 2016 the Tigers are heading to Tuscaloosa, Ala., with their complete squad. Last year, Memphis split its team with meets at Alabama and Georgia on the same weekend.
Getting Back In The (Jumps) Groove: After missing the 2017-18 indoor campaign, Olushola Olojo (triple jump) and Jordan Wesner (high jump) are getting back in rhythm with their sights on conference crowns in their respective events in mid-May. Olojo is competing in the triple jump for a second-straight week, after placing third in the event at the Mar. 30-31 Southeast Missouri Joey Haines Invitational. Wesner returns to action after sitting out last weekend. In his first competition since last June, he jumped 6-8.75 (2.05m) for a fifth-place finish at the Mar. 23-24 Bulldog Relays.
DeMoss' Full Schedule: Junior Davon DeMoss is scheduled for three events at the Crimson Tide Invitational this weekend. It is the first time this outdoor season the junior is running in both the 100 and 200 meters at the same meet. He also is running a leg on Memphis' 4x100 meter relay. So far this season, DeMoss has primarily competed in relay events. DeMoss, who has run in one 200 meters this season (Mar. 24 at the Bulldog Relays), holds the school record in the 100 meters.
No Rest For The Record Setters: A week after setting school marks, Mona Jaidi (women's hammer), Samantha Lenton (women's discus) and Martina Rodriguez Sala (women's 1500m) are back at it in their respective events this weekend. Although the men's 4x400 meter relay is not running at the Crimson Tide Invitational, Ryan Champlin (400m), Davon DeMoss (100m/200m), Kolbeinn Gunnarsson (200m) and Jarred Pasley (400m) all are in action. The quartet broke the 40-year-old record in the men's 4x400 relay at the Texas Relays last weekend.
Pryke Going For 12: Ashley Pryke heads to the Crimson Tide Invitational looking for her 12^th career women's javelin crown. Before last week's Texas Relays, the junior had won nine-straight regular-season javelin titles. This weekend is Pryke's first visit back to Tuscaloosa, Ala., since the start of her freshmen outdoor campaign in the spring of 2016. In her collegiate outdoor debut, Pryke placed fifth in the javelin with a 142-5 (43.42m) throw. Since then, she has improved her personal-best by over 40 feet (186-9.25; 56.93m).