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
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
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
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
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
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Friday
John & Tommy discuss Arkansas-Ole Miss, working under Saban, interview Chase Parham, and more!
Anderson looking back at loss to Vols, dropping to 1-3 again
Razorbacks coach Mike Anderson talked Thursday about the loss to Tennessee on Tuesday night and is expecting a rowdy atmosphere at Ole Miss on Saturday.
Jones, Gafford recapping loss to Tennessee, looking ahead
Arkansas players Mason Jones and Daniel Gafford met with the media and talked about Tuesday’s loss to the Volunteers and going on the road to play Ole Miss.
???? Thursday Halftime Pod — featuring SMU PxP broadcaster Rich Phillips
Phil Elson & Tye Richardson discuss if Arkansas football players should earn their way back, interview Rich Phillips, and more!
Mike’s problem is results don’t match fans’ expectations
It was longtime Arkansas athletics director John Barnhill who once said, in so many words, teams are remembered more for what was expected in preseason than how things are at the end of the year.
It’s not just the Razorbacks where that philosophy holds true. Just about every athletic program of any size is the same way.
But the Hogs’ fans often have what probably are unrealistic expectations.
Right now, fans are all over the place on Mike Anderson after three straight losses in league play, including dropping back-to-back home games to Florida and LSU.
The facts are that in his first seven seasons with the Hogs, Arkansas has won the third most games in the SEC. Yet there are some ready to show him the door.
Even though he’s winning at a higher percentage than Nolan Richardson did in his last seven years.
Did you know that?
What are your expectations? What do you really think they should be?
Many fans think this program should be in the Sweet 16 on a regular basis, which is wanting something that has only happened consistently in Fayetteville during one 18-year period.
The Razorbacks have been to the Sweet 16 exactly 11 times. Eddie Sutton went four times in his 11 seasons, Richardson went six times in his 17 seasons (actually seven out of eight years, starting with his third season).
Sutton and Richardson got teams to the Sweet 16 at almost the same percentage, by the way.
Glen Rose’s 1958 team is the only other team in program history that got there when it was a 24-team tournament.
Arkansas hasn’t been to the Sweet 16 since the 1995-96 season, a year after back-to-back championship game appearances and one title. Richardson coached for seven years after the last Sweet 16 appearance.
Everybody has a reason for the huge gap, but that’s not where I’m going right now.
The biggest problem was the expectations fans had when Anderson was hired in the spring of 2011. Too many people expected it was going to be Nolan, Part 2, and that wasn’t going to happen immediately.
Mike has won, but not enough for some people.
Here’s the comparison with all of the coaches since Sutton came to Fayetteville and got basketball on the map (Richardson’s tie broken into two sections, the second coming after the two national title games):
| OVERALL | CONF | |||||
| Coaches | W | L | Pct. | W | L | Pct. |
| Eddie Sutton (1974-85) | 260 | 75 | 78% | 139 | 35 | 80% |
| Nolan Richardson (1985-95) | 252 | 82 | 75% | 114 | 46 | 71% |
| Nolan Richardson (95-2002) | 137 | 87 | 61% | 59 | 52 | 53% |
| Stan Heath (2002-07) | 82 | 71 | 54% | 31 | 49 | 39% |
| John Pelphrey (2007-11) | 69 | 59 | 54% | 25 | 39 | 39% |
| Mike Anderson (2011-Present) | 161 | 92 | 64% | 71 | 57 | 55% |
Those same folks don’t have an answer for who they could get to come in and do better, however.
You’re not going to get an existing championship-level coach to come to Fayetteville. If they’ve built up a program to that level, they’re not leaving. Fans got the only coach with a track record of winning that wanted to be here.
Who do you think the Hogs could get that would come in and have the third most wins in the SEC over a seven-year period?
Or, better yet, why would you even want to get rid of a coach that’s done better than even Nolan did in HIS final seven years?
Yes, there may have been reasons for Richardson’s numbers in his final seven seasons, but that doesn’t matter. Not now. It’s a part of history now.
And the numbers tell the whole story.
But they don’t factor in patience for the fans.
