FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2012 – MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT: Zach Lawson (zlawson@uark.edu)

 

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

Irwin named SEC Field Athlete of the Week

 

            FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the second time this outdoor season and third time during his freshman year, Andrew Irwin has earned weekly honors from the Southeastern Conference. Stemming from his victory in the pole vault at the Arizona State Tri-Meet, Irwin was named the SEC Field Athlete of the Week as announced Tuesday by the league office.

Irwin extended his winning streak to four consecutive meets with his victory at the Arizona State Tri-Meet. He finished the competition with a winning clearance of 5.41m/17-9, the second-best jump in the SEC this season behind his own mark of 5.60m/18-4.5 set back at the Arkansas Spring Invitational in March. Irwin’s clearance at Arizona State tied for the nation’s best mark of the week.

The Mount, Ida, Ark., native is currently ranked No. 1 in the SEC and NCAA in the pole vault. Irwin was previously recognized by the SEC with April 3 honors as the Co-Field Athlete of the Week and Freshman of the Week. During the indoor season, he was named SEC Freshman of the Week after his school-record performance at the Arkansas-Texas Dual. Irwin, the NCAA indoor champion, has been on The Bowerman Watch List since March 14.

“Overall, this is a very good freshman class as it’s working out,” head coach Chris Bucknam said. “We’re not through an entire season yet so it remains to be seen how it stacks up on paper but we think we have a pretty good group here.”

Irwin’s victory was one of six for the Razorbacks at the triangular meet featuring SEC rival LSU and host Arizona State. Irwin was one of three Arkansas freshmen to post victories at the Arizona State Tri-Meet, joining Kyle Dunn in the 400-meter hurdles (51.37) and Patrick Rono at 800 meters (1:48.85). All three are currently nationally ranked in the top 30 of their respective event.

Arkansas continues its 2012 outdoor campaign this weekend with the John McDonnell Invitational in Fayetteville and the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif. For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

 

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