FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012 – MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT: Zach Lawson (zlawson@uark.edu)

 

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

Distance times improve at Payton Jordan

 

            FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 9 University of Arkansas women’s track and field team wrapped a busy weekend of competition Sunday evening with the Payton Jordan Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif. Collectively, the Razorbacks’ distance crew tallied two career-best performances—Grace Heymsfield in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and Dominique Scott at 1,500 meters—and a season best from Samantha Learch in the 800 meters.

            Heymsfield continued her strong sophomore campaign with a runner-up finish in section three of the 3,000-meter steeplechase. The Elkins, Ark., native clocked a career-best time of 10:13.41, knocking more than three seconds off her personal best of 10:17.76 which she ran earlier this season at the Stanford Invitational. With her performance, Heymsfield moved into fourth place on Arkansas’ all-time list for the event.

            Arkansas’ final competition of the evening came from Kristen Gillespie in section two of the 1,500 meters. She finished with a time of 4:13.33, just .02 seconds off her personal best set earlier this season at the Mt. SAC Relays. Gillespie finished in sixth place overall and was the second-fastest collegiate runner in the race. Her time is the sixth fastest in program history.

            Running in section four of the 1,500 meters, Keri Wood finished in fifth place with a time of 4:24.68. The showing is the second fastest of her career. In an earlier section of the event, Scott posted a personal best of 4:29.36. The Razorback freshman was running down in distance from her usual 5,000 or 10,000 meters.

            Learch turned in a season-best effort in the timed final of the 800 meters. She finished fifth in her heat and 22^nd overall with a time of 2:08.24. Learch was third among collegiate runners in the event.

The Razorbacks return to action for their home finale Friday with the Arkansas Twilight at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville. The meet is scheduled for an 11 a.m. (CT) start with running events beginning at 6 p.m. For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

 

Sunday Results

 

800 Meters

22. Samantha Learch – 2:08.24

 

1,500 Meters

(Section 2)

6. Kristen Gillespie – 4:13.33

(Section 4)

5. Keri Wood – 4:24.68

(Section 5)

8. Dominique Scott – 4:29.36 (PR)

 

3,000m Steeplechase

(Section 3)

2. Grace Heymsfield – 10:13.41 (PR)

 

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