Track teams to host Blue Raider Invitational

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Middle Tennessee track and field team will play host to the 2010 Blue Raider Invitational Saturday at Murphy Center.

"This will be a small meet for us," said head coach Dean Hayes. "There are a few other meets in the area, but this will help us get healthy and prepare to go back to Kentucky next weekend."

Senior Zamzam Sangau has enjoyed great success in the early goings of the 2010 indoor campaign. Last week, the Uganda native broke her own school record in the 800 meters with a time of 2:07.23 and earned her first NCAA Provisional Qualifying time of her career. She currently holds the third fastest 800-meter time in the NCAA.

Thrower Brittany Cox has also garnered an NCAA mark in the shot put, tossing 50-2 (15.29m) at last weekend's Kentucky Invitational for her first NCAA Provisional of her career. The mark broke her own school record and ranks her 20th on the NCAA descending order list.

For the men, long jumper Stanley Gbagbeke holds the lone NCAA Provisional Qualifying mark with a leap of 25-3 (7.69m) set at the MT Christmas Invitational. The jump is currently the fourth longest in the NCAA.

Unfortunately, injuries have plagued the currently Blue Raider men's and women's squads with top athletes on both rosters being hampered with ailments. Most notably, three-time NCAA All-America Sarah Nambawa has been sidelined with a knee injury and is not likely to see action for a few more weeks. Senior MeLyn Thompson and freshman Amber Jackson are also injured and not expected to compete this weekend.

For the men's team, sprinter Curtis King, hurdler Roscoe Payne and distance runners David Emery and William Songock have been battling various injuries and may not compete this weekend.

Results and coverage will be available on goblueraiders.com

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