MOBILE, Ala. - The University of South Alabama track and field teams will begin their 2007 indoor campaign in Fayetteville, Ark., at the Razorback Invitational beginning Friday, January 19th.  The two-day meet will feature some of the best athletes in country, including the host and defending Men's NCAA Indoor Track and Field Champions, the Arkansas Razorbacks.  The live results can be obtained through the Arkansas athletic website, www.hogwired.com.

The first day of the meet will feature mostly field events with Lady Jags entered in the women's high jump beginning at 6 p.m. (CT).  Shortly after, the running events kickoff with the 200m for men at 6:10 p.m.  Saturday competition begins for the South Alabama at Noon with the men's 400m.

All-Americans Vincent Rono and Tonny Okello were named as Top-12 picks in the first Trackwire 25/Dandy Dozen Poll of the year.  Trackwire ranks teams and individual athletes in terms of their potential finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships, which will also be held in Fayetteville beginning March 9th.

Rono, the reigining NCAA 1500m champion, is ranked third in the mile, the indoor counterpart of the slightly shorter outdoor distance.  Tom Lancashire of Florida State and Leonel Manzano of Texas are first and second in this event, respectively.

An All-American at 5000m during this past outdoor season, Okello was pick to finish 12th in the indoor event by Trackwire.  Chris Solinsky (Wisconsin), Galen Rupp (Oregon), and Peter Kosgei (Arkansas) are the top three 5000m picks in that order.  Okello will not compete at Arkansas this weekend.

The Jag distance medley relay team also earned a spot in the early poll, 11th in the rankings, with Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Villanova garner the first three positions.  South Alabama finished ninth at the NCAA Indoor Championships in this event in 2006 with a team comprised of Anthony Murphy, Harry Larubi, Okello, and Rono.

THIS WEEKEND NOTABLE JAGUAR ENTRANTS

Men

Olu Awoleye (Senior, Lagos, Nigeria) ? entered in the 200m, 400m, and 4x400m relay (probable anchor)

- First season at South Alabama...Division II champion at 400m (2004).

Harry K. Larubi (Senior, Gulu, Uganda) ? entered in the mile

- Took third in four events at the 2006 Sun Belt Conference Indoor Championships (800m, mile, 3000m, 5000m)...fifth at the SBC Cross Country Championships...27^th at the South Regional XC Meet.

Vincent Rono (Senior, Bomet, Kenya) ? entered in the 3000m and 5000m

- Reigning Sun Belt Conference Indoor Champion at 800m, mile, 3000m, and 5000m...won the 1500m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships...two-time SBC Cross Country Champion.

Micah Tirop (Sophomore, Eldoret, Kenya) ? entered in the mile, 3000m, 5000m

- First season at South Alabama...finished fourth at the Sun Belt Conference Cross Country Championships...earned All-South Region XC honors (16^th).

Tim Williams (Junior, Pensacola Fla.) ? entered in the high jump

- First season at South Alabama...2006 Texas Relays champion (with Mississippi State).

Women

Erin Kinnear (Senior, Belfast, N. Ireland) ? entered in the pole vault

- NCAA Regional Outdoor qualifier...Sun Belt Conference runner-up indoors and outdoors.

Ajoke Odumosu (Senior, Lagos Nigeria) ? entered in the 200m, 400m, and 4x400m relay (probable anchor)

- Reigning Sun Belt Conference Indoor and Outdoor 400m Champion...2006 NCAA finalist at 400m hurdles...South Alabama record-holder in four events (indoor/outdoor 400m, 400m hurdles, 4x400m relay)