Razorbacks Gear Up for Arkansas Qualifier at Randal Tyson Track Center
FAYETTEVILLE - The No. 8 Arkansas Razorbacks are set to host the Arkansas Qualifier this Friday, February 20, at the Randal Tyson Track Center. This meet, featuring athletes from 25 schools, serves as a crucial final tune-up before the conference championships kick off.
While there won't be a live stream for this event, fans can keep up with live results at flashresults.com.
Head coach Chris Johnson sees this meet as an opportunity for some athletes to solidify their spots for the SEC Indoor meet. "We’re getting more races under their belt," Johnson explained. "We aim to improve our time in the distance medley relay (DMR) on the national stage, so we can focus on assembling a strong team without having to chase a mark at the conference meet."
The Razorbacks are set to compete in the DMR against Iowa State and Oklahoma State. Arkansas holds a national rank of ninth with a time of 10:51.43, while Oklahoma State is fifth at 10:47.84. Iowa State is hanging onto the 12th qualifying spot for the NCAA Indoor with a 10:54.47.
The Arkansas DMR team at the Razorback Invitational featured Ainsley Erzen, Sanaria Butler, Makenna Herbst, and Sydney Vaught. However, Johnson hinted at possible changes. "We have some options and haven’t finalized the lineup yet," he said.
In distance races, Josphine Mwaura and Bradley Weimer will compete in the mile and 3,000m, while Madeleine Gear joins them in the mile and also races in the 800m alongside Erzen, Herbst, Faith Murphy, and Sorcha Shiu.
The sprints will see six Razorbacks each in the 200m and 400m. Abigail Campbell, Amirah Sharpe, Arianna Sharpe, Rae-Anne Serville, and Breagan Blowers will double up in both events, with Analisse Batista in the 400m and Gabriella Cunningham in the 200m.
Batista has been impressive this season, posting personal bests of 52.77 and 52.41 in the 400m. Her relay splits of 50.85 and 50.67 stand out as some of the season's fastest.
"Analisse is doing a fantastic job," Johnson praised. "Her speed development is evident in her 400m and relay performances."
Arkansas alums Paris Peoples and Shafiqua Maloney will also compete, with Peoples in the 400m and Maloney in the 800m.
Arkansas Women | Current National Rankings
- 400m: 6) Sanaria Butler (51.41), 16) Sanu Jallow-Lockhart (52.06), 19) Kaylyn Brown (52.17), 25) Analisse Batista (52.44)
- 800m: 4) Sanu Jallow-Lockhart (1:59.76), 21) Analisse Batista (2:03.18)
- 3,000m: 19) Sydney Vaught (8:49.47)
- 60m Hurdles: 17) Shania Myers (8.12), 18) Saira Prince (8.13)
- 4 x 400m Relay: 1) Arkansas (3:25.82)
- DMR: 9) Arkansas (10:51.43)
- High Jump: 8) Heidi Hudson (6-1.5), 16) Maria Isabel Arboleda Angulo (6-0.5)
- Long Jump: 8) Heidi Hudson (21-4.25)
- Pentathlon: 6) Heidi Hudson (4,260)
With the stakes high and the competition fierce, the Razorbacks are poised to make a significant impact as they fine-tune their performances ahead of the conference meet.