MEMPHIS, TENN.- Memphis track and field athletes travel to travel to Jacksonville, Fla. for the NCAA East Preliminary set to begin Thursday at the University of North Florida. For the second straight outdoor season the Tigers will send 14 competitors to the preliminary round, matching the school record.
"There is not just one driving force, several of these athletes have a chance to advance," said head track and field coach Kevin Robinson. "What's different about this team than previous teams, it has quality and it has depth not just one or the other."
The Tigers begin first round action on Thursday will the men's javelin throw at 10 a.m. (CT). Results from the NCAA East Preliminary be posted on GoTigersGo.com as they are made available.
Experience Counts
This will not be the first trip to the NCAA post-season for Robert Jackson, Brandon Williams, Kalis Pujats and Austin Crenshaw. Williams and Crenshaw each made the 2011 preliminaries as freshmen competing in the 400m hurdles and pole vault respectively.
Jackson qualified for the outdoor preliminaries in 2010 and 2011 in the 110m hurdles. In 2010,Jackson qualified for the NCAA Outdoor National Championships where he finished 18th.
Competing in the pole vault, Pujats qualified for the 2010 outdoor preliminary during his first season as a Tiger. Duringthe 2011 indoor season, Pujats made the NCAA Indoor National Championships finishing tied for ninth and receiving Second-Team All-America honors. The Riga, Latvia native qualified for the 2011 outdoor preliminaries, but did not compete due to injury.
Memphis' NCAA East Schedule
Thursday, May 24
Men's Javelin Throw/Trials 10 a.m. (CT)- Semifinal Trial: Top 16 overall advance to threeÂ]attempt final, top 12 overall from final advance to Des Moines, Iowa for the National Championship Finals
Men's 400m Hurdles/First Round 3:30 p.m. (CT)-Top three plus nine fastest times advance in each heat
Women's 400m Hurdles/First Round 4 p.m. (CT)- Top three plus nine fastest times advance in each heat
Women's 400m Dash/ First Round 6:45 p.m. (CT)- Top three plus nine fastest times advance in each heat
Friday, May 25
Men's Hammer Throw/National Semifinal 9 a.m. (CT)-Semifinal Trial: Top 16 overall advance to threeÂ]attempt final, top 12 overall from final advance to Des Moines, Iowa for national finals
Women's High Jump/National Semifinal 4 p.m. (CT)-Top 12 overall advance to national finals in Des Moines, Iowa
Men's 110m Hurdles/First Round 4 p.m. (CT)-Top three plus nine fastest times advance in each heat.
Women's 400m Dash/Quarterfinals 5:15 p.m. (CT)-Top 3 per heat, plus next 3 fastest times advance to semifinal in Des Moines, Iowa
Men's 400m Hurdles/Quarterfinal 6:30 p.m. (CT)-Top 3 per heat, plus next 3 fastest times advance to semifinal in Des Moines, Iowa
Women's 400m Hurdles/Quarterfinal 6:45 p.m. (CT)-Top 3 per heat, plus next 3 fastest times advance to semifinal in Des Moines, Iowa
Saturday, May 26
Men's Pole Vault/National Semifinal 10 a.m. (CT)- Top 12 overall advance to Des Moines, Iowa for finals
Men's High Jump/National Semifinal 4 p.m. (CT) - Top 12 overall advance to national finals in Des Moines, Iowa
Men's 110m Hurdles/ Quarterfinals 6:05 p.m. (CT)-Top 3 per heat, plus next 3 fastest times advance to semifinal in Des Moines, Iowa
Women's 4 x 400m/Quarterfinal 8:45 p.m. (CT)- Top 3 per heat, plus next 3 fastest times advance to Des Moines, Iowa for the semifinals