No. 2 Razorbacks take top spot in Razorback Invitational

FAYETTEVILLE — Facing a group of the nation’s best programs, including six top-10 teams, No. 2 Arkansas took first at the Razorback Invitational Saturday inside the Randal Tyson Track Center. 

“We had our senior leadership do a really nice job, even though they’re few in numbers,” said head coach Lance Harter. “They’re getting in to serve as the role model, and the youth is just following. By having those types of breakthroughs, the result it an overall great team performance.”

Sophomore Taylor Werner and junior Devin Clark were the only Razorbacks to take team titles on day two of the invitational, as Werner took the Mile while Clark laid claim to the 3,000 meters. Werner set a new personal record with a time of 4:39.52.

“She (Werner) is the constant competitor,” said Harter. “She has a very, very bright future in this business. To be so young and so bold is a unique combination.”

Other Notable Performances
Arkansas’ youth stepped up when needed most, as underclassmen combined for 10 top-10 finishes on Saturday, including sophomore Jada Baylark who broke her personal record in the 60-meters with a time of 7.24, finishing just behind LSU’s Kournie Johnson who finished at 7.18.

Senior Nikki Hiltz finished third in the 800-meters, while sophomore’s Carina Viljoen and Maddy Reed were the Razorbacks other top finishers, both placing fourth in the mile and 3,000-meters, respectively.

“The senior leadership creates the culture to the youth, that ‘hey, this is what is expected of you,” said Harter. “It makes everyone elevate. They’ve done a great job of keeping our youth and elevating them and helping them become a major factor at the Southeastern Conference Championships.”

Arkansas will head to the northeast next Friday and Saturday for the New York Armory in New York City.

Razorback Invitational
January 27, 2018
Randal Tyson Track Center (Fayetteville, Ark.)

Team Results (Top-5)
1- No. 2 Arkansas – 118
2- No. 4 USC – 82
3- No. 3 Georgia – 81
4- No. 9 LSU – 53.5
5- No. 24 Kansas State – 53

60 Meters Finals
2. Jada Baylark – 7.24
8. Kiara Parker – 7.35

60 Meters Prelims
2. Jada Baylark – 7.27
7. Kiara Parker – 7.36
16. Tamara Kuykendall – 7.57
24. Kayla Carter – 8.11

400 Meters Invitational
7. Morgan Burks-Magee – 54.12

400 Meters
5. Sydney Hammit – 55.37
15. Sydney Davis – 57.53
20. Jessica Dolezal – 1:03.80

800 Meters Invitational
3. Nikki Hiltz – 2:05. 16
8. Joy Ripslinger – 2:07.31

800 Meters
8. Ruth Wiggins – 2:10.62
14. Kailee Sawyer – 2:13.02
16. Emily Jeacock – 2:14.65
26. Tess Iler – 2:23.92

Mile Invitational
1. Taylor Werner – 4:39.52
4. Maddy Reed – 4:45.13

Mile
10. Claudia Verstraten – 5:05.86

3,000 Meters Invitational
1. Devin Clark – 9:21.20
4. Carina Viljoen – 9:30.85
6. Sydney Brown – 9:35.36
8. Rachel Nichwitz – 9:39.22

3,000 Meters
6. Greta Taylor – 10:09.21
7. Alex Ritchey – 10:09.43

60-Meter Hurdles Prelims
4. Janeek Brown – 8.18
5. Payton Chadwick – 8.19

60-Meter Hurdles Finals
5. Janeek Brown – 8.20
7. Payton Chadwick – 8.25

4-x-400 Meter Relay
4. Burks-Magee, Chadwick, Baylark, Parker – 3:36.44