Nairn captures long jump at Tyson Invitational on last attempt

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Nairn captures long jump at Tyson Invitational on last attempt

FAYETTEVILLE — Down to his last triple jump attempt, Laquan Nairn generated a leap of 52 feet, 10 ¼ inches (16.11) to move from third to first place at the Tyson Invitational on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Arkansas distance crew raced at the Husky Classic in Seattle over the weekend and produced career best times in various distances.

Leading the effort was Emmanuel Cheboson with a 13:41.90 in the 5,000m to place sixth. Cheboson moved to No. 6 on the Arkansas all-time list.

“I think it was a very productive weekend for our program,” said men’s head coach Chris Bucknam. “I was very pleased with the results at Tyson along with the results at the Husky meet. It’s always tough to split your squad, but it was necessary for us to do.

“Not only was I pleased with the performances across the board, but also with how we competed. Laquan’s final jump to win the triple jump is an example of that along with Jeremy in the 400m on Friday. Other examples of strong competition for us were in the 4×400, Kristoffer in the 60m and our distance races in Washington.”

Nairn’s final round effort enabled him to surpass event leader Felix Obi of Nigeria, who led the field with a 52-7¼ (16.03) from the second round. Oklahoma’s Jelaani Davis finished third with a 52-0½ (15.86) leap which moved him from sixth to second place in the fifth stanza.

“It was a good competition overall,” said Nairn, who opened with a 51-11 ¼ (15.83) victory at the Arkansas Invitational in January. “Coach (Mario) Sategna and I came into the meet wanting to be mentally prepared for six jumps. I knew I had to stay consistent and be patient.

“It shows how positive our thoughts can be going into a situation where I was sitting in third place for most of the competition. It shows how hard we’re training and how everything is coming together. Coach and I wanted to get 16.10 or better and we had a 16.11 today.”

An exciting race in the 4×400 relay had the Razorbacks and North Carolina A&T battling through each leg and they were separated by a narrow margin at the finish.

North Carolina A&T secured the victory in 3:04.12 with Arkansas runner-up at 3:04.81 while Iowa (3:06.76) and Baylor (3:07.72) were third and fourth.

Running for the Razorbacks were Lesley Mahlakoane (47.29), Jeremy Farr (45.44), Jalen Brown (46.62) and Hunter Woodhall (45.46).

A second relay group for Arkansas placed fifth overall as they won their section in 3:09.48 with a foursome of Travean Caldwell (47.65), James Milholen (46.91), Tre’Bien Gilbert (47.65) and Nick Hilson (47.27).

Racing in the Invitational 200m, Tylin Jackson posted a time of 21.10 for third in his section and 10th overall.

The winner of the event, LSU’s Terrance Laird, clocked a world-leading time of 20.43 with Georgia’s Matthew Boling runner-up in 20.66.

Husky Classic

Luke George had a career best of 4:06.10 for ninth place in his section of the mile. In the 3,000m, Cameron Griffith neared his personal best with a 7:50.80 to place ninth.

Matt Young registered a career best of 13:49.12 to finish eighth in his 5,000m section, improving from a previous indoor best of 14:19.00, while Gilbert Boit ran 13:59.49. Other Razorbacks contesting the 5,000m included Preston Cates (14:36.57), Graham Brown (14:40.27), and Hayden Dressel (14:55.17).

Information from Razorback Sports Communications is included in this story.

Perry, Carter after Bulldogs’ narrow win over Razorbacks on Saturday afternoon

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Mississippi State players Reggie Perry (17 points, 8 rebounds) and Tyson Carter (26 points) after a 78-77 win over the Hogs on a buzzer-beater tip-in by Abdul Ado.

Razorbacks pick up third straight win, downing Memphis, 4-3

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Razorbacks pick up third straight win, downing Memphis, 4-3

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas won its third straight match at the Dills Indoor Tennis Center, edging Memphis, 4-3, on Saturday afternoon.

In the final match-up of the day freshman Melvin Manuel came back to win the final two sets on court five to get the win for the Hogs.

Arkansas secured the doubles point for the second time this season with wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 spots. The pairing of Manuel and Jose Dominguez Alonso moved to 5-2 this spring with a 6-3 victory on court three while Alex Reco and Nico Rousset earned the duos second win this season.

In singles action, Maxim Verboven made quick work at the No. 1 spot with a 6-1, 6-3 straight set win over Jan Pallares.

Enrique Paya followed that up on court six with a two-set win over Patrick Sydow to put the Razorbacks up 3-0. Memphis rattled off three straight wins to tie up the contest at three points apiece.

Manuel dropped the first set at the No. 5 spot in the deciding match but fought back to take set two, 7-5.

After the rookie built a lead in the final set his Tiger opponent, Jeremy Taylor, brought the score to 5-4 with Manuel holding just a single game lead, but the Razorback was able to close it for the Hogs’ fourth win of the season.

Doubles

• No. 1 | Verboven/Paya (Ark) vs. Cutting/Stevenson (Memphis), 5-5 (unfinished)
• No. 2 | Reco/Rousset (Ark) def. Pallares/Sydow (Memphis), 7-5
• No. 3 | Manuel/Dominguez Alonso (Ark) def. J. Story/M. Story (Memphis), 6-3

Singles

• No. 1 | Maxim Verboven (Ark) def. Jan Pallares (Memphis), 6-1, 6-3
• No. 2 | Oscar Cutting (Memphis) def. No. 73 Alex Reco (Ark), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
• No. 3 | James Story (Memphis) def. Josh Howard-Tripp (Ark), 6-7, 6-4, 6-2
• No. 4 | David Stevenson (Memphis) def. Nico Rousset (Ark), 6-3, 1-6, 6-4
• No. 5 | Melvin Manuel (Ark) def. Jeremy Taylor (Memphis), 2-6, 7-5, 6-4
• No. 6 | Enrique Paya (Ark) def. Patrick Sydow (Memphis), 6-3, 6-4

Information from Razorback Sports Communications is included in this story.

Van Horn on Hogs’ play in getting 10-1 win over Eastern Illinois on Saturday

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Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn talked about how the strange wind was affecting first-inning home runs in the 10-1 win over the Panthers in the second game of the series Saturday.

Howland on Bulldogs being ‘very fortunate’ to come away with win over Hogs

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Mississippi State coach Ben Howland talked after the 78-77 win over Arkansas about how he felt “very fortunate” to come away with a win in a tough environment at Bud Walton Arena.

Freeman sets career best in 60-meter hurdles prelims at Tyson Invitational

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Freeman sets career best in 60-meter hurdles prelims at Tyson Invitational

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas freshman Daszay Freeman established a career best of 8.22 seconds in the prelims of the 60m hurdles on the first day of the Tyson Invitational, remaining No. 7 on the Arkansas all-time list.

In the final, Freeman placed fifth with an 8.24 among a loaded field. LSU’s tandem of Tonea Marshall (7.89) and Alia Armstrong (7.95) went 1-2 while North Carolina A&T’s duo of Paula Salmon (8.08) and Madeleine Akobundu (8.19) were 3-4.

Quinn Owen clocked 4:55.76 for third place in the mile as Greta Taylor (5:07.68) finished seventh. In the 400m, Tiana Wilson produced the top time among the Razorbacks with a 53.68 which placed her sixth overall as Morgan Burks-Magee (53.93) finished eighth and Paris Peoples (53.94) was 10th.

A mark of 19-11¾ (6.09) for G’Auna Edwards placed her ninth in a competitive long jump field. Taisha Price of Kansas State claimed the victory with a leap of 21-10 (6.65) over Georgia’s Jasmine Moore, who reached a mark of 21-2 ¾ (6.47) as runner-up.

The Tyson Invitational continues Saturday with the prime events taking place in a 1 to 4 p.m. time frame.

Field events start at 11:30 a.m. with running events beginning at 1 p.m.

Information from Razorback Sports Communications is included in this story.

Farr sets indoor best in 400-meter in first day at Tyson Invitational on Friday

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Farr sets indoor best in 400-meter in first day at Tyson Invitational on Friday

FAYETTEVILLE — Razorback freshman Jeremy Farr won an impressive 400-meter title on the first day of the Tyson Invitational, setting an indoor best of 46.05 seconds at the Randal Tyson Track Center.

In the 60-meter, Kristoffer Hari broke his Danish national record with a runner-up finish in 6.62 seconds.

Farr, who competed for Wolmer’s High School in Kingston, Jamaica, ran in the third section of the Invitational 400m and defeated LSU’s Tyler Terry (46.21) and Rutger’s Taj Burgess (46.39).

Freshman Randolph Ross of North Carolina A&T, who entered the meet with a world-leading 45.44 set in Lubbock, won the final section in 46.14 to place second overall.

“In my recent races I haven’t been going out fast enough,” said Farr, who has an outdoor best of 45.65. “So, today was about doing things coach asked me do. Today was the first time I did that, and I got the time I wanted.

“I’m very pleased. I didn’t expect to be the overall winner, but I’m happy I was. It means I’m in the league with those guys now. That’s where I know I can be, so I’m extremely happy.”

Farr’s effort is fifth best on the collegiate list this season and moves him to No. 8 on the Arkansas all-time indoor list.

Hari, who shared the national record for Denmark at 6.65 with Benjamin Hecht, finished second to a 6.59 by Jaylan Mitchell of North Carolina A&T in the 60m final while LSU’s Akanni Hislop ran 6.68 for third.

Hecht first set the record in 1999 while Hari matched that performance in 2017. During the Razorback Invitational two weeks ago, Hari repeated his 6.65.

The 6.62 effort moves Hari to No. 3 on the Arkansas all-time list behind Kenzo Cotton (6.56) and Jarrion Lawson (6.60).

“Moving in the right direction is always something I’m proud and happy about,” noted Hari, who ran 6.68 in the prelims before setting the record in the final. “Honestly, the times are always a cool thing, but I’m just happy that I’m getting better each meet.

“The big thing for me is the competition and the championships are what matters. I’m excited going into these big meets coming up with SECs and nationals. I’m definitely happy that I finally got to take this record, though.”

Tre’Bien Gilbert matched his career best in the 60m hurdles from two weeks ago. His 7.79 placed fourth with teammate Carl Elliott, III claiming fifth in 7.80. Iowa’s Jaylan McConico won the race in 7.60.

Razorback Jalen Brown placed eighth overall in the Invitational 400m with a 46.66 as he finished fourth in the fourth section. Teammates Lesley Mahlakoane (47.30) and Hunter Woodhall (47.86) were 11th and 12th overall.

The Tyson Invitational continues Saturday with prime events taking place in the 1 to 4 p.m. time frame. Field events start at 11:30 a.m. with running events beginning at 1 p.m.

Information from Razorback Sports Communications is included in this story.

Hambrick wins third straight all-around, but Hogs drop meet with Tide

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Hambrick wins third straight all-around, but Hogs drop meet with Tide

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Sophomore Kennedy Hambrick earned her third-straight and fourth career all-around title, finishing with a 39.400, but Arkansas came up short, falling to Alabama, 196.625-196.100.

Rotation One | Bars

Redshirt-freshman Bailey Lovett was the highlight of the first rotation for Arkansas, scoring a team-best 9.875, ranking second among all routines. Her 9.875 ties her career high and makes it seven-straight meets with a 9.825 or better in the event. Her ray and bail handstand helped the Gymbacks to an overall 49.050 in the first rotation.

Rotation Two | Vault

After a shaky start on the vault, the Gymbacks bounced back with three-straight 9.800s over better from Sarah Shaffer, Hambrick and Amanda Elswick. Elswick has only been in the vault lineup for two weeks and her Yurchenko full has led the Razorbacks both times. Arkansas trailed 97.875-98.575 after scoring a 48.825 on the vault.

Rotation Three | Floor

The Gymbacks’ highest team score came on the floor tonight, finishing with a 49.175 in the event. It makes 17 consecutive meets in which Arkansas scored a 49.000 or better on the floor. Lovett helped cut away at Alabama’s lead with a title-earning 9.925, executing her sky-high double layout with ease. Hambrick and Carter scored a 9.850 and 9.875 respectively, leaving the Hogs just .050 points behind the Tide (147.100-147.050).

Rotation Four | Beam

Arkansas would outscore Alabama 49.050-48.525 on the beam, posting four-straight 9.800s to close out the night. Hambrick earned her fourth career beam title with a 9.875, putting on a show for the fans with her back handspring and sticking her cartwheel gainer-full dismount.

Next meet

Arkansas returns to Barnhill Arena on Feb. 21 against Auburn for Women’s Empowerment Night.

Information from Razorback Sports Communications is included in this story.

When Noland’s on, bats get hot this Razorback team could be really good

Andy Hodges
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When Noland’s on, bats get hot this Razorback team could be really good

Connor Noland had a pretty good opening day, Heston Kjerstad had a pair of homers, but Christian Franklin blasted the longest homer and Arkansas started the 2020 season with a 5-1 win over Eastern Illinois on Friday afternoon.

It may have been more impressive than the final score that over 9,100 sat in 41-degree weather

Just about everybody played really well for an opener. Casey Opitz behind the plate threw out a couple of runners and basically managed the pitchers, especially Noland, masterfully

“We didn’t call pitches today,” Dave Van Horn said later. “We didn’t need to.”

Noland finished giving up one unearned run, striking out 11 and walking one.

“With Connor pitching the way he did, we never felt that we were in trouble,” Van Horn said. “It was a really good opener.”

Arkansas scored first with Braydon Webb walking to start the game, then scoring on an RBI single by Kjerstad, who was 3-for-4 with a pair of homers and three RBU.

“I’ve had a little bit different approach,” Kjerstad said. “A little bit more tuned in and everything and just keep it rolling. It’s always good to be in the lineup we have. It’s really easy to hit in it because you’re not pitching around guys because there’s a lot of good hitters in it.”

It was that kind of day, but Eastern Illinois pitcher Will Klein was throwing in the mid-90’s and after the lead-off batter for the Razorbacks scored, he shut them down until the fifth inning.

“I’m sure the lingo has it that he probably made a little money today,” Van Horn said. “He went through a pretty good lineup a few times. We finally got him. But, he showed that he could land his breaking ball a little bit and first time through the lineup it was mostly fastball.”

But the eye-popping part was Noland’s dominance in the opening game.

“I had all three pitches, fastball, curveball and slider,” Noland said later. “I didn’t throw too many change-ups, but they have a right-handed heavy lineup, so that’s too be expected. But I felt like I could move the ball inside-outside and just control the at-bats when I needed to.”

Van Horn was obviously pleased later, although you got the feeling there may have been some normal nerves before the game.

“You never what you are going to get,” he said. “You never know. You get guys that are a little nervous, new guys in the dugout that are just getting a feel. As a coach, you just kind of watch to see how they react. We have some veterans that kind of kept it calm.”

Oh, and started a season that has high expectations from the fans with a win over a team with a good starting pitcher.

“It was a really good opener,” Van Horn said.

The Hogs will face Eastern Illinois again Saturday in a game scheduled for a 2 p.m. first pitch.

You can hear the game on ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home or streamed online at HitThatLine.com. CLICK HERE to listen.

Franklin, Kjerstad, Noland recapping opening 2020 season with win Friday

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Arkansas center fielder Christian Franklin 1-4, homer), right fielder Heston Kjerstad (3-4, 2 homers) and pitcher Connor Noland (6.2 innings, 11 strikeouts) on getting 5-1 win over Eastern Illinois.

Van Horn didn’t have lot to criticize after Hogs open season with 5-1 win

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Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn pointed out a few mistakes to “clean up,” but mostly liked the way his team played in the season opener against a good Eastern Illinois pitcher in Will Klein and got win.

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