Cotton, Igbokwe pace Hogs to strong start in ‘Tyson’ meet

FAYETTEVILLE — No. 6 Arkansas opened the weekend strong at the Tyson Invitational off fast performances in the 60-meter dash and 400-meter invitational by Kenzo Cotton and Obi Igbokwe, respectively.

A two-time NCAA indoor nationals finalist in the 60, Cotton cruised out of the preliminary round of the short sprint off a season best of 6.60.

He further improved on his season best time in the event final, clocking 6.59 to place second, while moving up to No. 4 in the NCAA.

“Kenzo Cotton did a great job in the 60-meter dash,” assistant coach Doug Case said. “It was the second-best time he’s ever run and I don’t think it was the perfect race by any means and he’ll do better than that when the time comes.”

Always a contributor to Arkansas’ 4-x-400-meter relay squad, 2018 has seen Igbokwe distinguish himself as one of the most formidable quarter-milers in Razorback history.

Friday evening at the Randal Tyson Track Center saw The Woodlands, Texas, native, move up to No. 2 on Arkansas’ all-time best lists with a 45.38-second performance in the 400-meter invitational section.

Igbokwe currently ranks third in the NCAA this year.

“We ran some great 400’s today,” Case said. “Obi, great PR, great run, took it out all the way through right to the end. Marquez [Washington] nipped him but he ran really well.

“All of our 400-meter guys ran great. Kemar [Mowatt] and Ray [Schwartz] both ran PRs so we’re going to have a really hot 4-x-400 tomorrow that I’m looking forward to.”

Off the Track

All-American long jumper Travonn White made his 2018 debut for the Hogs, placing third in his signature event off a season best mark of 7.74m/25-4¾.

White’s mark earned him a spot on the NCAA leader boards at No. 16.

In the circle, weight throw program record holder Erich Sullins, threatened to break his own record once again, finishing in second place with a best toss of 20.25m/66-5¼.

West Coast Action

Senior Jack Bruce led Arkansas’ charge at the Husky Classic in Seattle, Washington racing to a personal best of 13 minute 43.34 seconds in the 5,000.

Bruce was the third-fastest collegian at the meet and placed fourth overall.

His time currently places him at No. 3 in the NCAA. Junior Alex George opened his 2018 campaign in the same event, clocking an indoor PR of 14:14.23 to finish inside the top-35 in a field of over 60 competitors.

Event Winner(s):
• Kieran Taylor, 800 Meters Invitational: 1:52.16

Events To Watch:
• 2:50 p.m. | 200 Meters Invitational
Featured Razorback: Kenzo Cotton (PR: 20.65)

• 3 p.m. | High Jump Invitational
Featured Razorback: Jah-Nhai Perinchief (PR: 2.17m/7-1¼)

• 4:30 p.m. | 4-x-400 Meter Relay Invitational
Arkansas A Team: TBD (SB: 3:08.17)

Tyson Invitational
February 9, 2018
Randal Tyson Track Center (Fayetteville)

60 Meters Qualifying
30. Harrison Schrage – 6.98
32. Kevin Harris – 7.04

60 Meters Prelims
1. Kenzo Cotton – 6.60
10. Roy Ejiakuekwu – 6.77

60 Meters Finals
2. Kenzo Cotton – 6.59

400 Meters Invitational
2. Obi Igbokwe – 45.38
7. Rhayko Schwartz – 46.37
9. Kemar Mowatt – 46.44
13. Jamarco Stephen – 47.21

400 Meters
15. John Winn – 47.82
19. Travius Chambers – 48.10
26. Hunter Woodhall – 48.63

800 Meters Invitational
1. Kieran Taylor – 1:52.16
3. Chase Pareti – 1:52.94
5. Reese Walters – 1:54.57

60 Meter Hurdles Prelims
3. Larry Donald – 7.87

60 Meter Hurdles Finals
4. Larry Donald – 7.84

Pole Vault
10. Gabe Moore – 4.60m/15-1

Long Jump Invitational
3. Travonn White – 7.74m/25-4¾
12. Harrison Schrage – 7.01m

Long Jump
15. Trae Carey – 7.03m/23-0¾
18. Gabe Moore – 6.88m/22-7

Weight Throw
2. Erich Sullins – 20.25m/66-5¼

Husky Classic
February 9, 2018
Dempsey Indoor Track (Seattle, Wash.)

5,000 Meters Invitational
4. Jack Bruce – 13:43.34
33. Alex George – 14:14.23