FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Senior Arthur Turland became the University of Louisville’s first indoor track and field All-American with his eighth-place finish in the men’s weight throw during the first day of competition at the 2007 NCAA Indoor Championships Friday at the University of Arkansas.

Turland, a native of Kincardine, Ont., had a top mark of 68 feet, 10.5 inches, to finish eighth overall and earn his first All-America honor.

The 2007 BIG EAST weight throw champion and a three-time BIG EAST Champion overall, Turland is just the third men’s track and field athlete at UofL to earn All-America honors joining current teammate Tone Belt and former standout James Dennis, both of whom are two-time outdoor All-Americans.

The eighth-place finish for Turland also scores one point for the Cards in the first completed event of the 2007 national championships. The Cards will complete Friday’s events with sophomores Tone Belt and Andre Black competing in the men’s long jump at 6 p.m. CT. Belt enters the event with the nation’s top mark in 2007 at 26 feet, 1 inch.

A full recap of the first day of competition at the 2007 NCAA Indoor