May 11, 2000

New Orleans, La.-- - The University of Memphis men's and women's track teams got off to a strong start through strong finishes in the men's and women's hammer throws.

Junior Kameilah Amaya (Carbondale, Ill.) finished second in the hammer throw wish a mark of 50.82 meters (166-9). Junior Carla Hardy (College Park, Ga.) finished fourth with a distance of 49.62 meters (162-9). The duo accounted for 13 points toward the Lady Tigers' team score, putting them in first place after one event.

The men's team is fourth after one event on the strength of Jason Garrison's (Memphis, TN/Kirby) fourth place finish in the hammer with a mark of 56.08 meters (184 feet). Senior Kevin O'Connell (Collierville, TN/Collierville), not competing in the decathlon due to injury, finished 10th with a throw of 39.32 meters (129 feet).

Memphis' final competitors on the first day of competition will be sophomore Lilly Lebron and freshman Balazs Laszlo in the women's and men's 10,000 meter run. The men's 10K is set to start at 8:00 p.m., while the women are slated to start at 8:40 p.m.

This will be Laszlo's first 10K of the outdoor season, while Lebron won the event in 42:50.10 at the Big Cat Classic back in April.

Women's Hammer Throw 1. Lori Perrie, Marquette 51.02 m 167-5

2. Kameilah Amaya, Memphis 50.82 m 166-9

3. Kelly Krupa, Cincinnati 50.46 m 165-7

4. Carla Hardy, Memphis 49.62 m 162-9

5. Mimi Merrill, Cincinnati 49.50 m 162-5

6. Melissa Gale, Louisville 49.08 m 161

7. Montia Gardner, DePaul 47.02 m 154-3

8. Alicia Norton, South Florida 46.90 m 153-10

9. Patti Hall, South Florida 46.08 m 151-2

10. Ryan Lamp, Louisville 42.84 m 140-7

11. Megan Greeley, DePaul 41.10 m 134-10

12. Susan Stoffel, DePaul 40.94 m 134-4

13. Tara Clinding, UNC Charlotte 40.78 m 133-9

14. Trista Wheatley, Cincinnati 39.28 m 128-10

15. Crystal Larson, Marquette 38.26 m 125-6

Women's Standings After One Event:

1. Memphis, 13 pts.

2. Cincinnati, 10 pts.

2. Marquette, 10 pts.

4. Louisville, 3 pts.

5. DePaul, 2 pts.

6. South Florida, 1 pt.

In other action:

Heptathlon Results (through four events)

1. Jen Carlsen, Louisville 2943 points

2. Monica Turner, UNC Charlotte 2925 points

3. Chigozie Chuku, Houston 2910 points

4. Erin Bush, Cincinnati 2909 points

5. Megan Kosman, Marquette 2864 points

6. Briana Bassler, Houston 2795 points

7. Ifoma Jones, Houston 2693 points

8. Kristyl Grier, Southern Mississippi 2667 points

9. Kenisha Smith, UNC Charlotte 2448 points

10. Laura Vallderperas, Cincinnati 2294 points

11. Tiana Graves, UNC Charlotte 2189 points

12. Kelly Blessing, Cincinnati 1999 points