Britton Wilson Blazes to U.S. Lead at Tyson Invitational; Julien Alfred, Jasmine Moore Shine in Star-Studded Meet
FAYETTEVILLE - The Tyson Invitational turned into a showcase of elite talent this weekend, with Arkansas alums and current Razorbacks delivering major performances across the board. Leading the charge was Britton Wilson, who reminded everyone exactly why she’s one of the top 400m runners in the world.
Wilson stormed through the Championship 400m in 50.66 seconds - the fastest time by an American this indoor season and the third-fastest globally. That’s not just fast, that’s “start-looking-at-the-record-books” fast. She narrowly missed the meet record of 50.57 set by Amber Anning last year, but her performance was more than enough to secure a dominant win in a loaded heat.
Wilson edged out fellow Arkansas alum Nickisha Pryce, who clocked 51.29, and current Razorback standout Sanaria Butler, who crossed in 51.41. For Butler, it was a career-best performance that now places her eighth on the University of Arkansas’ all-time list - no small feat considering the program’s rich sprinting legacy.
But the 400m wasn’t the only event where the Tyson Invitational delivered fireworks.
Julien Alfred Rewrites the 60m Script
Julien Alfred, the reigning Olympic 100m gold medalist, came into Fayetteville already holding the world lead in the 60m. She left with an even faster time and a new meet record to her name.
Alfred blazed through the final in 6.99 seconds, becoming the first woman this season to dip under the seven-second barrier. That’s elite territory - the kind of mark that makes the rest of the sprinting world take notice.
She had already broken the meet record in the prelims with a 7.01, surpassing the previous mark of 7.02 set by Tiana Madison back in 2012. In the final, Alfred nearly took down the facility record of 6.98, just missing by the slimmest of margins. Jacious Sears finished second in 7.03, while Brianna Lyston took third in 7.07 in what was one of the deepest 60m fields we’ve seen this indoor season.
Hurdles, Long Jump, and a Razorback Rising
In the women’s 60m hurdles, Saira Prince made a name for herself with a breakout performance. She clocked a personal best of 8.13 in the final, good enough to win the University division and move into a tie for 11th on Arkansas’ all-time list.
What made it even more impressive? She had already set a then-PR of 8.18 in the prelims.
Prince edged out LSU’s Sallecia Myles (8.14) and Adeyah Brewster (8.25), while Arkansas teammate Simone Ballard placed sixth in 8.27.
In the field events, Heidi Hudson showed she’s a rising force in the long jump. She launched herself to a career-best 21-4.25 (6.51m) to finish second in the University division - a mark that now ranks her fourth in Razorback history. That distance would also earn her 1,010 points in the pentathlon, a number that underscores just how valuable that kind of jump can be in multi-event competition.
Jasmine Moore and Nia Robinson Lead Championship Long Jump
The Championship division of the women’s long jump brought out the big names, and Olympic medalist Jasmine Moore didn’t disappoint. She claimed the top spot with a leap of 22-6.5 (6.86m), showing once again why she’s one of the most consistent jumpers in the world.
Right behind her, it was a battle for second - and it ended in a tie. Arkansas alum Nia Robinson and Illinois’ Sophia Beckmon both recorded jumps of 22-4.5 (6.82m).
For Robinson, it was a career-best performance that now ranks her as the No. 3 performer on Jamaica’s all-time indoor list. Another Arkansas alum, Taliyah Brooks, placed seventh with a 21-4 (6.50m) - another mark that would score big in the pentathlon, worth 1,007 points.
Depth on Display in the 400m and 800m
Later in the meet, Saira Prince wasn’t done. She came back in the 400m and dropped another personal best - 52.62 - placing second in her section and ninth overall.
Right alongside her, Razorback Analisse Batista posted a 52.41, also a career best, and finished fifth overall. These are the kinds of times that suggest both athletes are trending in the right direction as championship season approaches.
In the 800m, Madeleine Gear grabbed second in the University division with a 2:10.09, finishing behind Iowa’s Gabby Cortez, who won it in 2:07.49.
Final Takeaway
From world leads to career bests and record-book shakeups, the Tyson Invitational delivered everything you’d want from a mid-season meet. Britton Wilson’s 400m win was the headline, but performances from Julien Alfred, Jasmine Moore, and a host of Razorbacks - past and present - proved that Fayetteville remains one of the sport’s premier proving grounds.