FAYETTEVILLE - Freshman Cobi Hamilton and senior Scott MacPherson picked up NCAA provisional qualifiers for No. 8 Arkansas Razorback men's track and field on day two of the Tyson Invitational.
"Overall, I think we had a good weekend," head coach Chris Bucknam said. "We got some things done and got guys qualified that we needed. We are going to take some time now and get ready for SECs. Cobi Hamilton qualifying in the 200 meters is a big breakthrough for him. He has his qualifying time so he can concentrate on training. Scott MacPherson is one of the toughest distance runners in the country. It means so much to him every time he puts his jersey on to race. 13:51 last night and 7:58 today, that's a great 5K/3K double for him and that's what he wants to do at NCAAs."
Hamilton finished 11th in the 200 meters. He clocked a personal-best and NCAA provisional-qualifying time of 21.16. His time ranks No. 5 in the SEC and second among freshmen. Junior LaShawn Butler, also competing in the 200 meters, finished 20th with a season- and personal-best time of 21.36.
MacPherson finished second overall, behind former Hog Josphat Boit, and first among collegians in the invitational 3,000 meters. He clocked an improved NCAA provisional-qualifying and personal-best time of 7:58.18. His time ranks No. 2 in the SEC and No. 8 in the NCAA.
Sophomore Rick Elliott, also competing in the invitational 3,000 meters, finished 11th with a time of 8:24.84. Sophomore Ben Skidmore, junior Chris Bilbrew, freshman Caleb Cross and freshman Hunter Bourke combined for a time of 3:12.21 to finish 12th in the 4x400-meter relay. The time is season best.
In the field events, junior Chad Burnett finish tied for eighth in the collegiate pole vault with a height of 15-1. Freshman Brede Ellingsen finished eighth in the invitational high jump with his clearance of 6-10.75. Freshman Justin Holmes was 18th in the shot put with a toss of 47-0.25.
The Razorbacks will compete next when they host the 2010 SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships, Feb. 26-28.
UA Women's 4x400 record falls again
For the second time in as many weeks, the No. 11 Arkansas Razorback women's track and field team clocked a new school record in the 4x400-meter relay."Having five possible legs for our 4x400-meter relay is really the key," head coach Lance Harter said. "Whitney Jones goes above and beyond when she has a baton in her hand. Regina George is a very special athlete and she runs a great anchor leg for us. Whitney's hamstring is holding up and she had some really positive performances this weekend."
The quartet of junior Edina Brooks, junior Shelise Williams, sophomore Whitney Jones and freshman Regina George combined for a time of 3:32.87 to win the 4x400-meter relay. They clocked a new school record, the NCAA and SEC leading time and an NCAA automatic-qualifying time.
"We came into today's race wanting to break our own record," George said. "We are always trying to run better and prove ourselves. I think we still have a faster time in us."
They replaced the previous school record of 3:33.18 set at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational last weekend. Jones replaced senior Karen Thomas in the line-up. Brooks, who has also run the third leg, moved to the lead off leg for Saturday's race.
In the invitational 3,000 meters, junior Miranda Walker picked up a fifth-place finish with a time of 9:40.53. Her clocking is a nine-second personal best and ranks No. 9 in the SEC.
Junior Shantel Thompson finished fifth in the collegiate triple jump. Her best jump of the day is a season best 40-9.75. Freshman Leah Orley was 25th with her mark of 38-2.25.
Jones also competed in the 200 meters. She finished 31st and clocked a time of 24.41. Freshman Gwendolyn Flowers finished 72nd with a season-best time of 25.37.
The Razorbacks will compete next when they host the 2010 SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships, Feb. 26-28.
