FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2012 – MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT: Zach Lawson (zlawson@uark.edu)

 

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

Mt. SAC Relays up next for distance crew

 

            FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the second time this season, the No. 6 University of Arkansas women’s track and field team will split its competitors this weekend. The Razorbacks will compete at the John McDonnell Invitational in Fayetteville and the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif.

            The home event begins Friday with the discus and hammer competitions. The meet resumes Saturday with the field events beginning at 11 a.m. (CT) and running events slated for a 4 p.m. start. Action at the Mt. SAC Relays for Arkansas is scheduled to begin Thursday and continue through Friday.

            “This weekend is crucial for us,” head coach Lance Harter said. “It’s critical that we get some (regional) marks and build some momentum as we get deeper into our season. We need to get into our individual events and post times to get qualified for the regional meet and, ultimately, the NCAA Championships. In addition to our home meet, we’ll have some key distance runners at the Mt. SAC Relays looking to post some quality times.”

            Thursday’s slate in California features sections of the 1,500 meters and 3,000-meter steeplechase. The Razorbacks will close out competition at the Mt. SAC Relays Friday with the invitational 1,500 meters and sections of the 5,000 meters.

            At the John McDonnell Invitational, the Razorbacks will host a 10-team field. Arkansas will be joined by Drury, Illinois, Missouri State, Missouri Southern, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oral Roberts, Saint Louis and Tulsa. The Sooners enter the meet as the ninth-ranked team in the country.

            For the third consecutive week, Arkansas remains the No. 6 team in the country with the April 17 release of the USTFCCCA national poll. The Razorbacks are one of six teams from the SEC ranked inside the top 25.

            Entering the weekend, Arkansas owns three top-10 marks on the national performance list. In the pole vault, Tina Sutej leads the NCAA with her 4.55m/14-11 clearance at the Texas Relays in March. Kristen Gillespie currently owns the third-fastest time (15:48.91) at 5,000 meters. The Razorbacks’ 4x400-meter relay of Gwendolyn Flowers, Regina George, Whitney Jones and Chrishuna Williams are the No. 10 team in the country with a season-best time of 3:34.15.

Meet coverage for both the John McDonnell Invitational and Mt. SAC Relays include live results while the home event will also feature an interactive blog. For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

 

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