FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2012 – MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT: Zach Lawson (zlawson@uark.edu)

 

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

Sutej recognized after third Penn Relays title

 

            FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the fourth time this season, and second during the outdoor campaign, Tina Sutej was named the Southeastern Conference Field Athlete of the Week as announced by the league office Tuesday afternoon. The selection follows her victory in the pole vault at the 118^th Penn Relays in Philadelphia. The weekly honor for Sutej from the SEC is the 13^th of her career.

            “Tina is the consummate competitor,” head coach Lance Harter said. “She is very composed and handles different, sometimes negative conditions in respects to swirling winds and other conditions that might distract others. She has the tendency to just stay cool, calm and collected to make sure she can give her best effort against whoever happens to challenge.”

            Sutej successfully defended her pole vault title at Penn to become a three-time champion at the prestigious event. The win was her third straight at Penn, a victory she secured with a final clearance of 4.35m/14-3.25. With the first-place finish, Sutej extended her season winning streak to nine meets, dating back to the start of the indoor campaign.

            The win represented the seventh Penn Relays pole vault title for the Razorbacks in the past 10 years. Including Sutej (2010-12), the list of Arkansas pole vault winners at Penn includes April Steiner (2003), Stacie Manuel (2004), Jodi Unger (2006) and Katie Stripling (2007). Overall, the program now has 15 event titles at Penn Relays.

            Arkansas dropped one spot to No. 10 in the May 1 release of the USTFCCCA national rankings. The Razorbacks are one of three teams from the SEC inside the top 10 and one of five ranked overall. This week, Arkansas is joined in the rankings by No. 3 Florida, No. 4 LSU, No. 18 Tennessee and No. 21 Georgia.

The Razorbacks close out this season’s home schedule Friday with the Arkansas Twilight at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville. Field events are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. (CT) with running events slated to start at 6 p.m. This is Arkansas’ last meet before the SEC Championships. For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

 

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