FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2012 – MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT: Zach Lawson (zlawson@uark.edu)

 

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS TRACK AND FIELD

Former Razorbacks, world-class field set to run in Fayetteville

 

            FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Northwest Arkansas will play host to the USA Track & Field Classic this Saturday at the Randal Tyson Track Center. Competition is set for a 5 p.m. (CT) start at the Razorbacks’ home facility in Fayetteville. The meet, which will feature a 10-event professional lineup, is part of the nationally televised USATF Indoor Visa Championship Series.

            Joining the world-class list of track and field’s best competitors at the USATF Classic, former Razorbacks Veronica Campbell-Brown (60m), Wallace Spearmon (60m) and Dorian Ulrey (mile) are scheduled to compete. Scheduled events are the women’s 60 meters, 60-meter hurdles, 1,500 meters, long jump and shot put; and the men’s 60 meters, 400 meters, mile, two mile and shot put.

            In addition to the professional schedule, top collegiate stars will get a turn in the spotlight during the USATF Classic with competition in the men’s Olympic development pole vault, men’s and women’s 60-meter hurdle finals and men’s and women’s 4x400-meter relay. Both Razorback men’s and women’s 4x400-meter relay teams will compete in the final event of the day.

Overall, the collective field of competitors at the USATF Classic has won 21 Olympic medals—seven gold, 10 silver and four bronze—and 60 World Championship medals—34 gold, 18 silver and eight bronze.

            The USATF Classic is being held in conjunction with the 2012 Tyson Invitational, which will be contested Friday and Saturday at the Randal Tyson Track Center. The USATF Classic will be broadcast on tape delay Sunday, Feb. 12, at 1:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

            In the women’s 60 meters, Campbell-Brown will face a field that includes two-time Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix, defending USA Indoor champion Alexandria Anderson, 2008 Olympic Trials 100 meters champion Muna Lee and two-time NCAA 200 meter champion Porscha Lucas.

            Along with Spearmon, the field in the men’s 60 meters will feature Olympic and World Championship medalists Darvis Patton, Justin Gatlin and Shawn Crawford; Olympic 100 meters silver medalist Richard Thompson and Churandy Martina. The men’s and women’s 60 meters will include semifinals and finals.

Among several highlights, the USATF Classic is an American-record attempt in the men’s two mile; a women’s shot put and women’s long jump that includes a combined three medalists and an American record holder; and a men’s mile field with at least three sub-3:50 milers.

            The USATF Classic joins the 2012 Indoor Visa Championship Series that also includes the U.S. Open (Jan. 28) in New York City; the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix (Feb. 4) in Boston; and the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships (Feb. 25-26) in Albuquerque, N.M. For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

 

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