Razorbacks Shine on Opening Day of Razorback Invitational with Hudson, Vaught Leading the Charge
FAYETTEVILLE - Day one of the Razorback Invitational delivered a strong statement from Arkansas' track and field squad, headlined by standout efforts from Heidi Hudson in the pentathlon and a gritty comeback in the distance medley relay anchored by Sydney Vaught.
Let’s start with Hudson, who put together a career-best 4,260 points in the pentathlon - a mark that not only earned her a runner-up finish but also vaulted her to No. 7 on Arkansas’ all-time list. She was edged out by Oregon’s Lisa-Maria Lusti, who totaled 4,290, but Hudson’s performance was more than just a solid meet outing - it was a national-level showing.
To put it in perspective, Hudson and Lusti now sit second and third among collegiate pentathletes this season, trailing only Lucie Kienast of Illinois (4,316). Globally?
They’re currently fifth and sixth on the 2026 world list. That’s elite company.
Hudson’s performance was built on consistency and a few explosive moments. She opened with an 8.83 in the 60m hurdles (946 points), then went on an absolute tear in the high jump.
Clearing 6-0.5 (1.84) and then 6-1.5 (1.87) - both personal bests - she racked up 1,067 points in that event alone. It was a clinic in vertical progression, with Hudson clearing six of her first eight bars on first attempts and needing just one third try at 5-10 (1.78) before hitting her top mark.
She narrowly missed at 6-2.75 (1.90), but her 6-1.5 clearance now ranks her No. 3 in Arkansas history for the event and ties her for second all-time in Razorback Invitational pentathlon high jump history. Only Makeba Alcide’s 6-2.25 (1.89) stands higher.
Hudson added 545 points in the shot put with a throw of 33-6.75 (10.23), then nearly matched her personal best in the long jump with a leap of 20-9 (6.32), good for 949 points. She closed things out with a 2:25.29 in the 800m (753 points), sealing her spot among the nation’s best.
But the Razorbacks weren’t done making noise.
In the women’s distance medley relay, Arkansas delivered a thrilling second-place finish thanks to a strong anchor leg from Sydney Vaught. The team clocked a 10:51.43, just behind Oklahoma State’s 10:47.84 and narrowly ahead of South Carolina’s 10:51.52. That time now ranks No. 4 in program history.
The relay squad featured Ainsley Erzen (3:22.85) on the 1200m, Sanaria Butler (51.07) on the 400m, and Makenna Herbst (2:07.86) handling the 800m. Butler’s split was the fastest 400m in the field, while Vaught’s 4:29.65 on the 1600m anchor was the second fastest among all anchors - and more importantly, it moved the Hogs from fifth to second in the final stretch.
Elsewhere in the meet, Arkansas alum Nia Robinson made her mark in the long jump, hitting an indoor career-best 21-10.75 (6.67) to finish second. Illinois’ Sophia Beckmon took the win with a collegiate-leading 22-5.75 (6.85), but Robinson’s jump was a significant step forward in her post-collegiate progression.
In the pole vault, Hannah Estes cleared 13-1.5 (4.00) to take sixth, while the 200m saw Asia Thomas and Ryan Jennings post solid times of 23.57 and 23.79, respectively. Georgia’s Adaejah Hodge won the event in 22.53, tying the meet record set by LSU’s Favour Ofili in 2023.
In the mid-distance events, Sorcha Shiu ran a 2:08.52 to place third in her section and 10th overall in the 800m, while Faith Murphy clocked 2:10.56 to finish runner-up in her section.
All in all, it was a day of statement performances for the Razorbacks - a blend of personal bests, program history, and national relevance. With Hudson’s all-around brilliance and Vaught’s anchor leg heroics setting the tone, Arkansas came out swinging on day one at the Tyson Center.