Tigers Track And Field Sweep Javelin Titles Friday

Friday, March 17

Memphis, Tenn.

University of Memphis

Rhodes College Invitational

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

Photo by: Nikki Boertman

Mar 17, 2017 | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

2017 Rhodes Invitational/Friday Results

Pryke shatters school record in women's javelin.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis' Michael Criticos and Ashley Pryke swept the men's and women's javelin titles, respectively, to pace the Tigers' effort in first-day action at the 2017 Rhodes Invitational Friday.

Pryke won the women's javelin with a school-record throw of 175-3 (53.41m). Her javelin throw Friday shattered her program record by nearly 15 feet. Pryke's previous best was 160-10 (49.03m) set as a freshman in the 2016 outdoor season. Friday's javelin title was the second of Pryke's career.

Criticos won the men's javelin with a 217-0 (66.15m) throw. It was Criticos' eighth career javelin title, which includes the 2016 American Athletic Conference crown.

2017 Rhodes Invitational/Day One Highlights

The Rhodes Invitational is the 2017 outdoor season opener for Memphis.
James Durkin placed third in the men's 10,000m in a personal-best time of 32:54.15. He bettered his previous best by over 10 seconds.
Simon Hosten (2^nd; 183-10/56.03m) and Lennard Biere (5^th; 168-9/51.44m) competed for the first time in the men's javelin as Tigers.
Arnica Zitting and Lauren Wheeler both posted personal-best times in the women's 5000m. Zitting placed fourth in a time of 17:15.18, which is 17 seconds better than her previous best. Wheeler finished 20^th in a time of 18:50.78. Her previous best was 19:09.81.

Memphis Men's Results
5000m – 38. Josh Hamlet, 16:39.77
10,000m – 3. James Durkin, 32:54.15
Javelin – 1. Michael Criticos, 217-0 (66.15m); 2. Simon Hosten, 183-10 (56.03m); 4. Grant Mathis, 170-11 (52.09m); 5. Lennard Biere, 168-9 (51.44m)

Memphis Women's Results
5000m – 3. Chelsea Ladd, 17:08.08; 4. Arnica Zitting, 17:15.18; 20. Lauren Wheeler, 18:50.78; 21. Bailey Kennemer, 18:56.19; 41. Gabriella Pabst, 19:46.23; 46. Kristen Adams, 20:25.95
10,000m – 2. Gabrielle Byndas, 39:38.77; 3. Mary Minkler, 39:46.06
Javelin – 1. Ashley Pryke, 175-3 (53.41m)