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Razorbacks sweep to win in first doubleheader of season

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — In its second doubleheader of the season, Arkansas earned a sweep with a 4-3 victory over UCF and a 7-0 victory over Saint Louis.

The Hogs got off to a slow start against UCF, dropping the doubles point in straight sets. The team went down 2-0, as Alex Reco fell 7-5, 6-2.

Josh Howard-Tripp gave the Razorbacks a spark, earning 6-4, 6-4 victory at the No. 1 position. Pedro Dominguez tied the match at the No. 4 position with a 7-6 (4), 6-3 win.

Arkansas won its next two matches, clinching the victory with a 7-5, 7-6(4) win from Adam Sanjurjo. The team played through, falling at the No. 5 position.

The Hogs dominated the Billikens, taking the doubles point in straight sets before earning five singles wins. Jose Dominguez Alonso clinched the match at the No. 4 position, and Arkansas improved to 4-0 on the season.

The Razorbacks will return to the court Monday, facing Oklahoma State in the team’s first road test of the season.

Match One | Arkansas 4, UCF 3

Doubles Results – Order of Finish (2,1)
1. Trey Hilderbrand/Bogdan Pavel (UCF) def. Enrique Paya/Maxim Verboven (AR) 7-5
2. Juan Pablo Mazzuchi/Manoel Alencar (UCF) def. Josh Howard-Tripp/Alex Reco (AR) 6-3
3. Pedro Alonso/Adam Sanjurjo (AR) vs. Alan Rubio/Mikhail Sokolovskiy (UCF) 6-5, unfinished

Singles Results – Order of Finish (3,1,4,6,2,5)
1. Josh Howard-Tripp (AR) def. Juan Pablo Mazzuchi (UCF) 6-4, 6-4
2. Adam Sanjurjo (AR) def. Alan Rubio (UCF) 7-5, 7-6 (7-4)
3. Trey Hilderbrand (UCF) def. Alex Reco (AR) 7-5, 6-2
4. Pedro Alonso (AR) def. Bogdan Pavel (UCF) 7-6 (7-4), 6-3
5. Mikhail Sokolovskiy (UCF) def. Enrique Paya (AR) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
6. Maxim Verboven (AR) def. Manoel Alencar (UCF) 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4)

Match Two | Arkansas 7, Saint Louis 0

Doubles Results – Order of Finish (3,2,1)
1. Josh Howard-Tripp/Alex Reco (AR) def. Kenji Yanaba/Pavel Badaiants (SLU-M) 6-2
2. Jose Alonso/Pedro Alonso (AR) def. Justin Nogalski/Ignacio Tintore (SLU-M) 6-1
3. Maxim Verboven/Josh Bortnick (AR) def. No player/No player (SLU-M), by forfeit

Singles Results – Order of Finish (6,2,4,1,5,3)
1. Josh Howard-Tripp (AR) def. Justin Nogalski (SLU-M) 6-3, 6-3
2. Alex Reco (AR) def. Kenji Yanaba (SLU-M) 6-1, 6-1
3. Pedro Alonso (AR) def. Pavel Badaiants (SLU-M) 6-1, 6-4
4. Jose Alonso (AR) def. Ignacio Tintore (SLU-M) 6-1, 6-1
5. Josh Bortnick (AR) def. John Paul McKenzie (SLU-M) 6-0, 6-2
6. Maxim Verboven (AR) def. No player (SLU-M), by forfeit

Jacobus equals career-best at pole vault summit in Reno

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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RENO, Nev. — Only World and Olympic champion Katerina Stefanidi and U.S. indoor champion Katie Nageotte bested Arkansas’ Lexi Jacobus Friday night at the Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nevada.

Stefanidi, who won a third IAAF Diamond League trophy last year, edged US indoor champion Katie Nageotte on countback at 4.74m.

Following the 1-2 finish by Stefanidi and Nageotte, Lexi Jacobus a three-time NCAA Champion topped 4.66m (15-3.50) to equal her indoor career best to finish third in the competition.

Tori Hoggard cleared 4.44m (14-7) in the competition setting a season-best mark.

On the season, Jacobus and Hoggard are currently ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the NCAA, respectively.

Assistant Coach Bryan Compton was also named the USATF Collegiate Pole Vault Coach of the Year at the event Friday night.

Ortiz leading field at Latin America Championship in Dominican Republic

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Alvaro Ortiz carded a 2-under par 70 Saturday, has a 54-hole score of 208 (-8) and leads by one stroke with one round left to play at the Latin America Amateur Championship, played at Teeth of the Dog Golf Course in Casa del Campo, Dominican Republic.

Julian Perico is even par (216) through three rounds and is tied for 17th.

The winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship will be invited to play in the 2019 Masters and receive exemptions into the final stages of qualifying for The Open and U.S. Open in 2019.

Ortiz got off to a strong start with birdies on holes 2, 5 and 7 to make the turn at 3-under par. The opened the back nine with a pair of bogeys but ran off six pars before finishing with a birdie on 18 for a round of 70 (2-under par).

Perico, who started the day in eighth, shot 40 on his front nine. He got on track with a birdie on the par-4, 11th hole. However, he gave that stroke back with a bogey on the 12th. Perico rallied and birdies holes 15 and 18 to finish the day with a 2-over 74.

The final round of the Championship is set for Sunday and coverage can be found on ESPN2 (Jan. 20), with the telecasts also available on the ESPN App or by visiting www.laacgolf.com.

Ole Miss hands Razorbacks second straight SEC blowout loss

Andy Hodges
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Arkansas backed up a 19-point loss to Tennessee on Tuesday night with, well, another double-digit loss, this time to Ole Miss on the road Saturday, 84-67.

They never led in the game, which drops the record to 10-7 overall and an eye-opening 1-4 in SEC play.

With a schedule that’s going to get a little easier because Missouri on Wednesday in a late game, then back on the road to Texas Tech on Saturday afternoon.

Many fans starting to mumble about the direction of the program this past week and that’s going to increase in volume and intensity. Mike Anderson won’t really notice because he doesn’t pay much attention to the noise out there.

Maybe the most disturbing thing Saturday was the way the Rebels simply out-hustled the Razorbacks. It was Ole Miss that played the fastest 40 minutes Saturday.

For a team with a reputation as a fast-paced, aggressive offense, the Hogs got zero fast-break points against the Rebels. Zero.

While they improved in some areas. They hit 81 percent from the free-throw line and out-scored Ole Miss there, 17-15, but Ole Miss put up 11 more shots in the game and made 48 percent of them.

Once again, Arkansas was out-rebounded, out-shot and out-rebounded. They finally hit free throws, but couldn’t do anything else.

But what I kept coming back to was the way Ole Miss simply seemed to want it more. They were going after every loose ball, contesting nearly every shot.

Add to that Daniel Gafford’s struggles to score when the an opponent makes it a point to take him out of the game. The Hogs’ center scored just 9 points Saturday, breaking a double-digit scoring.

In the last two games against the Vols and Ole Miss, Gafford has scored a combined total of 19 points and 17 rebounds.

The Hogs aren’t going to win many games with their best player averaging 9.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.

A couple of games ago, Arkansas’ bench didn’t produce a point. Against Ole Miss they put up 35. Keyshawn Embery-Simpson led the Hogs with 16 points off the bench.

Reggie Chaney, who had been making progress lately, scored just 4 points and got one rebound in the game Saturday. Isaiah Joe’s struggles continued, getting 11 points, but going 4-of-11 from the field.

Everybody who had been performing well disappeared.

Mason Jones had 5 points, Jalen Harris just 3. Worse, Jones played 31 minutes and got two rebounds.

None of it looked good, which is now the second straight game Arkansas has really not looked good.

It’s not pretty. Anderson knows this.

He also knows it may get worse before it gets better.

 

Morris landing Catalon another big get in strong recruiting class

Andy Hodges
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Chad Morris landed Mansfield, Texas, Legacy free safety Jalen Catalon on Friday when he made his announcement.

It didn’t surprise the folks who follow recruiting closely. They felt that was the direction the highly-sought four-star was leaning anyway.

This is, however, the first time in what is becoming the strongest recruiting class in a long, long time that Morris has gone into Texas and gotten a commitment from a top target of Texas and Oklahoma.

TCU was also in that final cut, but that’s not going to be as eye-opening as beating out those other two who have long been the biggest players in the state with the most players.

It’s hard to remember, in fact, when Arkansas DID beat out those two for a player.

What may be even more interesting is how Morris and his staff closed the deal, according to some reports.

On Thursday night while the Longhorns were having their final visit with Catalon, the Hogs’ staff was at Mansfield Legacy’s gym watching his younger sister play basketball.

After Texas left the Catalon house, Morris along with defensive coordinator John Chavis and defensive backs coaches Ron Cooper and Mark Smith went in and closed the deal.

The Razorbacks landed four composite four-star prospects from the state of Tennessee. They went into Mississippi and got a quarterback wanted by both in-state SEC programs. The Hogs landed a defensive end from Georgia most of the SEC wanted. They also beat out Oklahoma for a top-rated junior college offensive lineman.

Arkansas’ recruiting rankings are a 247Sports.com composite No. 20, which is their ESPN ranking and at Rivals, the Hogs are 16th.

The overall ranking is progress and has more four star athletes committed that the previous two coaching staffs landed in two years combined most of the time.

It was Florida State’s Bobby Bowden who told his staff every year that having those highly-rated players didn’t guarantee you of playing for a championship, but he did guarantee that not having them guaranteed you would NOT be playing for one.

History has proven you have to have at least one class rated in the top five and another in the top 10 to compete for a national championship in this day and time.

After that, if you’re in the top 20 rankings you at least have a chance to compete at the level just below that, which is basically the best Arkansas has done in the last 30 years or so.

Morris has said in off-season interviews this was never a quick-fix. He knew exactly what he was getting into, but wasn’t going to say it. Coaches never do that.

But he inherited a program that had a decade of unremarkable recruiting and a recent cycle of lack of player development, which is as important as getting the talent on campus. You have to develop even five-star players and the only two the Hogs landed in the last 10 years haven’t played to that level, which is a development issue.

The guess is this is not a class that reaches Morris’ goals.

It is one he’s hoping gets the Hogs pointed in the right direction, though.

Neighbors on Hogs’ long break, facing Tennessee on Monday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors met with the media Friday afternoon after a long break on the bye week, made longer by not playing until Monday on the road against the struggling Vols.

???? Friday Halftime Pod — featuring Ole Miss broadcaster David Kellum

Tye Richardson
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???? Friday Halftime Pod — featuring Ole Miss broadcaster David Kellum

Phil & Tye discuss TNA (The New Arkansas), interview Ole Miss play-by-play broadcaster David Kellum, and more!

Schultz sets 1-meter, 3-meter mark at Fayetteville meet Friday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Sophomore Brooke Schultz set the 3-meter (391.43) pool record and the 1-meter (375.53) school and pool records as the swimming and diving team defeated No. 25 Houston, 193-107, Friday night.

This is the second time this season Schultz has broken a record, setting the 3-meter school record in October.

The Hogs got off to a solid start, winning the 200 yard medley relay before recording 13 more wins and 27 podium finishes.

Sophomore Peyton Palsha earned three individual first-place finishes, while Vannessa Herrmann, Hopkin, and Schultz each recorded two.

The Razorbacks swept the podium in both springboard events, as Maha Amer finished second in the 1-meter (302.70) and Estilla Mosena finished third (273.53).

In the 3-meter, Amer earned a second-place finish (344.93) and Mosena earned a third-place finish (312.08). Both divers recorded personal-bests in both springboard events.

Senior Marlena Pigliacampi set a season-best time of 2:01.08 in the 200 yard butterfly, winning the event in the first of her two podium finishes.

“It was a great way to finish off a hard week of focused training,” coach Neil Harper said. “I thought the swimmers and divers performed really well. Houston was undefeated and ranked in the top-25, so for us the challenge was clear and we dominated the meet.

“Brooke’s record on the 3-meter proves she is turning up the level of diving at the right time of the year. I was also very happy with Peyton and Vanessa as they stepped up in key events to take the wins. It was a total team effort and a good sign that we are on track for big things.”

Arkansas will return to the pool Feb. 2 to host Kansas for the home finale. The meet is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., with senior day activities prior to the first event.

Razorbacks drop road meet to Kentucky on Friday evening

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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LEXINGTON, Ky. — Arkansas fell at Kentucky on Friday evening 195.275-193.875.

The meet was held inside Rupp Arena as the Razorbacks were Kentucky’s first Southeastern Conference opponent inside the venue.

First Rotation: Kentucky Vault: 49.175, Arkansas Bars: 47.900
Arkansas fell behind in the first rotation as it was forced to count a fall. Sophomore Jessica Yamzon began the rotation with a 9.700 as fellow Sophomore Hailey Garner posted a 9.750 in the fourth spot. The Razorbacks finished with a 9.600 from junior Michaela Burton and a rotation leading 9.775 from sophomore Sarah Shaffer.

Second Rotation: Kentucky Bars: 48.950, Arkansas Vault: 48.700
Arkansas began the second rotation with a pair of 9.675’s and a 9.650; but finished the rotation strong with a pair of 9.775’s from Shaffer and freshman Kennedy Hambrick. Senior Sydney McGlone anchored and led the event with a 9.800.

Third Rotation: Arkansas Floor: 49.050, Kentucky Beam: 47.775
Arkansas made up some ground in the final rotation as Kentucky was forced to count a fall on the balance beam. Yamzon led Arkansas off in the rotation with a solid 9.775 on the floor. Freshman Bailey Lovett made her debut on the event in the two spot with a 9.750.

Hambrick followed that up with a 9.775 as Sydney McGlone posted a season high 9.800. Shaffer followed that up with a 9.800 of her own as sophomore Sophia Carter ended the rotation with a 9.900 on the event. Carter has not scored below a 9.900 on the event this season.

Fourth Rotation: Kentucky Floor: 49.375, Arkansas Beam: 48.225
Yamzon led off the final event with a 9.775 that was followed up with a 9.800 from Hambrick. Hambrick competed in the all-around for the first time in her career in her third meet. After a fall, Carter posted a 9.775 as the rotation ended a 9.800 from the anchor Burton.

Up Next
The Razorbacks hit the road again for the Metroplex Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. The Razorbacks will face off against No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 10 Missouri and No. 8 Denver.

Arkansas opens 2019 season with road sweep in Georgia

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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KENNESAW, Ga. — Arkansas opened its 2019 campaign with a road sweep of Kennesaw State on Friday afternoon.

Weather delayed the doubleheader, as rain from the night before caused the courts to be too wet to play. As a result, the first match consisted of only singles play.

The Hogs got off to a solid start, taking four matches in straight sets. Following the fourth victory, the match was suspended due to the clinch.

Martina Zerulo earned the first point for the Razorbacks with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Lara Mehlsam at the No. 2 position.

Laura Rijkers put Arkansas up 2-0 at the No. 4 position, while Miruna Tudor put the team within one. Tatum Rice clinched the match at the No. 1 position, earning a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Juliana Castellanos.

The second match included doubles play, with Arkansas clinching the point at the No. 1 position. Thea Rice and Miruna Tudor defeated Mehlsam and Brenna Reilly 6-1 at the No. 3 position before Tatum Rice and Zerulo earned a 6-2 victory.

In singles play, Tatum Rice picked up the first win for the Hogs with a 6-2, 6-1 defeat of Mehlsam. The Owls earned their lone point of the day at the No. 6 position, as Prabakar fell 6-2, 6-0. Alter clinched at the No. 3 position with a  7-6 (4), 6-1 win over Kendall Nash.

The Hogs will return to the Hill this weekend, hosting Saint Louis Sunday at 5 p.m.

Singles Results – Order of Finish (2,4,6,1)
1. Tatum Rice (ARK) def. Juliana Castellanos (KSU) 6-3, 6-1
2. Martina Zerulo (ARK) def. Lara Mehlsam (KSU) 6-1, 6-0
3. Aspen Jarrett (KSU) vs. Lauren Alter (ARK) 4-6, 4-2, unfinished
4. Laura Rijkers (ARK) def. Kendall Nash (KSU) 6-1, 6-3
5. Zoe Wende (KSU) vs. Thea Rice (ARK) 3-6, 3-5, unfinished
6. Miruna Tudor (ARK) def. Brenna Reilly (KSU) 6-4, 6-1

Match Two | Arkansas 4, Kennesaw State 1
Doubles Results – Order of Finish (3,1)
1. Tatum Rice/Martina Zerulo (ARK) def. Juliana Castellanos/Zoe Wende (KSU) 6-2
2. Kendall Nash/Aspen Jarrett (KSU) vs. Lauren Alter/Laura Rijkers (ARK) 2-4, unfinished
3. Thea Rice/Miruna Tudor (ARK) def. Brenna Reilly/Lara Mehlsam (KSU) 6-1

Singles Results – Order of Finish (1,2,6,3,5)
1. Tatum Rice (ARK) def. Lara Mehlsam (KSU) 6-2, 6-1
2. Martina Zerulo (ARK) def. Juliana Castellanos (KSU) 6-0, 6-1
3. Lauren Alter (ARK) def. Kendall Nash (KSU) 7-6 (7-4), 6-1
4. Aspen Jarrett (KSU) vs. Laura Rijkers (ARK) 6-7 (4-7), unfinished
5. Thea Rice (ARK) def. Brenna Reilly (KSU) 6-4, 6-3
6. Zoe Wende (KSU) def. Shwetha Prabakar (ARK) 6-2, 6-0

Perico shoots low round; Ortiz second at Latin America Amateur

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas freshman Julian Perico shot the low round of the day, a 7-under-par 65, and jumped from 61st to eighth in day two at the Latin America Amateur Championship, played at Teeth of the Dog Golf Course in Casa del Campo, Dominican Republic.

Former Razorback and round one leader Alvaro Ortiz shot an even-par 72 Friday and is one stroke back after 36 holes with a two-day total of 138 (-6). Perico’s 36-hole score is 142 (-2).

The winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship will be invited to play in the 2019 Masters and receive exemptions into the final stages of qualifying for The Open and U.S. Open in 2019.

Perico, playing in his third LAAC with a pair of top 15 finishes, opened his second round with a birdie on the par-4, 10th hole. He would then birdie holes 12 and 13 before finishing his front nine with birdies on holes 17 and 18 for a 31. Perico opened his back nine with four pars before a birdie on the par-5, 5th hole got him to 6-under. After a bogey on his 15th hole, Perico posted a par and closed his round with a pair of birdies for 7-under-par 65.

Ortiz, who has two runner-up finishes and a third-place finish at the Championship, made the turn at 1-over after posting two birdies, a bogey and a double. He got back to even for the day with a birdie on the par-4, 11th hole and reeled off seven pars to complete his second round.

Luis Garza shot three-over-par 75 Friday but missed the cut to advance to the weekend with a 36-hole score of 155 and tied for 76th.

Round three of the four-day Championship is set for Saturday and coverage can be found on the ESPN family of networks. Two hours of live play will air on ESPNEWS (Jan. 19) and ESPN2 (Jan. 20), with the telecasts also available on the ESPN App or by visiting www.laacgolf.com

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