FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012 – MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT: Zach Lawson (zlawson@uark.edu)

 

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

Title run in 4x200m at Drake Relays

 

            DES MOINES, Iowa – The No. 9 University of Arkansas women’s track and field team capped its Friday schedule at the 103^rd Annual Drake Relays with a victory in the 4x200-meter relay. In addition to their relay performance, the Razorbacks collected qualifiers in the 100 meters, 100-meter hurdles and 4x100-meter relay. All finals will be run Saturday.

            In their final event of the day, the Razorbacks turned in a first-place effort in the 4x200-meter relay. The team of Gwendolyn Flowers, Tiffany Hines, Regina George and Whitney Jones ran to a time of 1:34.05 to win the program’s third Drake Relays title in the event, and first since 2007. The time is the fourth fastest in school history. Overall, the program has seven total Drake Relays titles and six from the relay events.

            “We wanted to leave here with a win in something,” George said. “We knew we’d have to run hard in the 4x2 to get a win. We didn’t do what we needed to earlier in the 4x4 so we had to make up for that a little bit. I guess everything happens for a reason. Hopefully, tomorrow we’ll do better in the sprint medley and 4x1.”

            Arkansas began the day with a qualifying effort in the 4x100-meter relay. The same quartet from the 4x200-meter relay passed the baton around the track in a time of 44.92, the second-fastest performance of the preliminary round. The Razorbacks earned an automatic spot in the event final by winning heat two. The 4x100-meter relay final is scheduled for Saturday at 4:42 pm.

            Hines had the second-fastest time during qualifying rounds of the 100 meters. She finished second in heat three with a time of 12.02 and was the fifth overall qualifier, only behind the four heat winners. The event final in the 100 meters is scheduled for Saturday at 2:45 p.m.

            In the preliminary heats of the 100-meter hurdles, Ivanique Kemp and Brittany Hyter both advanced to Saturday’s event final. Running into a headwind, Kemp won heat three in a time of 13.71 to earn an automatic berth into the next round. Hyter finished second in her heat, and seventh overall, with a time of 13.88. The 100-meter hurdles final is scheduled for Saturday at 2:59 p.m.

            Arkansas’ 4x400-meter relay team of Jones, Hyter, Rachel Werner and Chrishuna Williams did not advance out of the preliminary round with its 3:41.33 showing. With that time, the Razorbacks finished in 10^th place overall and were two spot out of advancing to the event final.

            The 2012 Drake Relays concludes Saturday with finals in the 100 meters, 100-meter hurdles and 4x100 relay. Day four’s schedule will also feature Arkansas competition in the 400-meter hurdles, 3,000-meter steeplechase, sprint-medley relay, long jump and triple jump.

            Meet coverage during the weekend is set to include live results and an interactive blog, which continues Saturday at 10 a.m. (CT). A video stream of will be available for Drake Relays via subscription through the Bulldogs’ website. For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

 

Friday Results

 

100 Meters (prelims)

5. Tiffany Hines – 12.02q

18. Gwendolyn Flowers – 12.34

 

800 Meters

7. Martine Borge – 2:09.35

 

100m Hurdles (prelims)

2. Ivanique Kemp – 13.71q

7. Brittany Hyter – 13.88q

 

4x100m (prelims)

2. Flowers/George/Hines/Jones – 44.92q

 

4x200m

1. Flowers/Hines/George/Jones – 1:34.05

 

4x400m (prelims)

10. Jones/Br. Hyter/Werner/Williams – 3:41.33 

 

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