Simpson Sets School Record In Collegiate Debut

Friday, March 15

Memphis, Tenn.

All Day

University of Memphis

Rhodes Invitational

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Mar 15, 2019 | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

Rhodes Invitational (Friday Results)

Rhodes Invitational continues Saturday.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – In the first collegiate meet of her career, University of Memphis freshman Amber Simpson set a school record in the women's hammer to highlight the first day of action in the Tigers' 2019 outdoor opener at the Rhodes Invitational Friday.

The Rhodes Invitational continues Saturday. The action starts at 10 a.m. (CT) on the Rhodes College campus in Memphis.

Simpson, who placed sixth in the women's weight throw at the American Athletic Conference Indoor Championships three weeks ago, posted a school-record effort of 196-1 (59.76m) in the women's hammer Friday. The previous record was 189-0 (57.60m) set last spring by Simpson's teammate, Mona Jaidi.

Tigers Tidbits

In Friday action, the Tigers won three events and had six top-three performances.
As they did at last year's Rhodes Invitational, the Tigers swept the men's and women's javelin titles. On Friday, Max Emmerich took the men's crown, and Ashley Pryke the women's championship. The title was Pryke's third-straight at the Rhodes Invitational.
Ashley Pryke's javelin crown Friday was the 16^th of her career.
Gabrielle Byndas cut just over 19 seconds off her personal-best in the 10,000 meters. She ran a 38:33.34 Friday, and her previous-best was 38:52.38.
Samantha Lenton threw a personal-best in the women's hammer. Her effort of 184-11 (56.36m) surpassed her previous-best of 171-4 (52.23m).
Vigdis Jonsdottir, a transfer from Southeastern Louisiana, competed in her first meet as a Tiger Friday.
The Tigers competing in their first collegiate meet Friday were: Lucas Finton, Avery Wood and Jessie Boyett in the men's 5000 meters; Max Emmerich in the men's javelin; Adar Sheere in the men's hammer; and Amber Simpson in the women's hammer.

Memphis Results

Men's Results
5000m – 28. Lucas Finton, 15:45.51; 40. Avery Wood, 16:01.31; 47. Jessie Boyett, 16:17.68
Javelin – 1. Max Emmerich, 195-4 (59.53m)
Hammer – 4. Adar Sheere, 181-6 (55.33m)

Women's Results
5000m – 4. Megan Ryan, 17:53.05; 64. Gabriella Pabst, 21:15.40
10,000m – 3. Gabrielle Byndas, 38:33.34
Javelin – 1. Ashley Pryke, 161-5 (49.19m)
Hammer – 1. Amber Simpson, 196-1 (59.76m); 2. Vigdis Jonsdottir, 188-6 (57.47m); 3. Samantha Lenton, 184-11 (56.36m); 4. DeeNia McMiller, 178-4 (54.37m)