FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2012 – MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT: Zach Lawson (zlawson@uark.edu)

 

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

No. 1 Arkansas hosts Razorback Invitational

 

            FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 1 University of Arkansas men’s track and field team returns from a week away from the track to host the Razorback Invitational this weekend at the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville. Competition begins Friday at noon (CT) with the start of the multi events and action Saturday begins at 11 a.m.

            In addition to the heptathlon Friday, running events begin at 6:30 while the first men’s field events start at 7 p.m. Saturday’s schedule starts at 11 a.m. with the running events with the resumption of the heptathlon beginning at noon.

            This weekend’s loaded field features nine teams ranked in the Jan. 24 release of the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) national poll. The men’s field includes four of the top-five teams in the country and six of the top 10. With top-ranked Arkansas, the Razorback Invitational will also include No. 3 LSU, No. 4 Florida State, No. 5 Texas, No. 7 Stanford, No. 10 Arizona, No. 13 Arizona, No. 13 Oklahoma, No. 17 Iowa and No. 23 Georgia. The meet will also feature Baylor, Oklahoma State and TCU.

            “We’re really excited about this great track meet we have going this weekend,” head coach Chris Bucknam said. “You always hesitate to say this is the best meet going on this year but it is certainly one of the best, no question about it. Across the board, this is going to be one heck of a meet. I’m looking forward to see how our kids make a step forward and respond against this level of competition.”

            Through the first two meets of their season, the Razorbacks have five competitors ranked nationally within the top 10 of their respective event. Andrew Irwin (5.50m/18-0.5) is the highest ranked Razorback with a No. 2 spot in the pole vault and Akheem Gauntlett (21.16) is tied for the fourth-fastest time at 200 meters. In the 800 meters, Leoman Momoh (1:49.87) has the No. 5 time in the country with Patrick Rono (1:49.88) right behind at sixth in the event. Ben Skidmore (47.36) is currently tied for the eighth-fastest time in the 400 meters this season.

            Arkansas sits in the top spot of the Jan. 24 release of the USTFCCCA national rankings, marking the first No. 1 ranking for the Razorbacks since Feb. 11, 2009. Arkansas leads a three-team Southeastern Conference charge at the top of the poll. The Razorbacks are one of six teams from the SEC inside this week’s top 25 along with No. 2 Florida, LSU, No. 20 Mississippi State, No. 21 Ole Miss and Georgia.

            This weekend’s competition is also scheduled to feature nine competitors with a top-five ranking in their respective event. In addition to the Razorbacks’ top-five entries, the field also includes the top performer in the 400 meters with Caleb Williams of LSU, the No. 2 time in the 60 meters with Kemar Hyman of Florida State, the No. 3 performer in the shot put with Ryan Crouser of Texas. Troy Doris of Iowa has the fourth-best measurement in the triple jump while Keiron Stewart and Jacob Thormaehlen of Texas have the No. 5 marks in the 60-meter hurdles and shot put, respectively.

            For meet coverage, including video stream, live results and interactive blog, and more information, log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

 

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