Feb. 8, 2007

MEMPHIS - The Memphis track field team will turn up the competition level this weekend as they travel to Fayetteville, Ark., on Friday for the Tyson Invitational at the Randall Tyson Track Complex.

Last week the Lady Tigers finished first at the McDonald's Invitational, while the men took home a second place finish. This weekend both teams will have their work cut out for them as they compete in what is widely considered the most competitive indoor meet of the season and a precursor to the national meet.

"We're going to take our best kids this week and see what they can do against the nation's best athletes," said Memphis head coach Kevin Robinson. "The only way to get better is to compete against the nation's best teams."

While the competition will be fierce, Robinson has high expectations for some of his athletes and expects them to fair well against elite competition.

"I expect Gail (Lee) to do well in the shot put," said Robinson. "I think Sivan (Aballi) will do well also."

Lee currently leads Conference USA in both the shot put and the weight throw with NCAA provisional qualifying marks in both events. Aballi is second in the conference in the shot put with a throw of 50-0.

The women's distance group, led by 17-year-old freshman Tina Sherratt, has assaulted the school-record book in the team's last two meets. Robinson is anxious to see how this young but talented group will respond this weekend.

"The distance group is still young, and they are learning," said Robinson. "For two of our kids, this will be just their third indoor race. This meet should be a good learning experience for them."

The Tyson Invitational will open Friday at 12:30 p.m. Fans can follow the results live online at http://www.flashresults.com.