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

ESPN Arkansas News Services
-
0

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

Brooks has record day Friday at Hogs’ Tyson Invitational

ESPN Arkansas News Services
-
0

FAYETTEVILLE — Day one of the Tyson Invitational saw several members of No. 1 Arkansas post impressive performances in Fayetteville, led by redshirt senior Taliyah Brooks who won the long jump off a program-record leap.

Entering the meet as the NCAA’s best pentathlete, Brooks set out on a mission to make the same stride in the long jump.

She opened her series with a strong mark, jumping out to 6.47m/21-2¾ on her first attempt. The Wichita Falls, Texas, native went on to improve to 6.49m/21-3½ in the fourth round before marking her best jump of the day of 6.57m/21-6¾ on her sixth and final attempt.

Her personal best jump pushed her up the NCAA leader boards to No. 2 in the long jump — 2¼ inches shy of the tying the leader.

“I think she [Taliyah] had a really good day,” associate head coach Chris Johnson said. “Obviously she’s seasoned and we’ve been preparing for this moment. We knew we wanted to jump big here so it was just a matter of going out and executing.

“We’ve done some things in practice to clean up her form a little bit and she did a really great job balancing between running the 60 and being able to long jump at the same time.”

Improvements on the Track

Sophomore Jada Baylark and junior Payton Chadwick raced to top-three performances in the 60-meter dash and 60-meter hurdles, respectively, both running season best times.

Baylark strengthened her claim as the second-fastest 60-meter sprinter in Arkansas history, improving her time by .02 seconds. Her 7.22 performance advanced her out of the preliminary round and helped her maintain a place among the NCAA top-six in the event.

The Razorback program-record holder in the 60-meter hurdles, Chadwick placed third, clocking 8.10 in the event final. The performance moves her up from No. 8 to No. 6 in the NCAA.

“We’re headed in the right direction as a team,” Johnson said. “There are somethings we need to do. We just got to get better. Hopefully tomorrow we improve on some 200-meter times and get a 4-x-400-meter relay qualified for the national meet.”

Events Winner(s):

• Taliyah Brooks, Long Jump: 6.57m/21-6¾

Events To Watch (Saturday):

• 3:00 p.m. | 200 Meters Invitational
Featured Razorback: Payton Chadwick (PR: 22.99)

• 3:00 p.m. | Pole Vault Invitational

Featured Razorback: Lexi Jacobus (PR: 4.64m/15-2 3/4)

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

60 Meters Qualifying
3. Kiara Parker – 7.35
10. Taliyah Brooks – 7.41
15.Tamara Kuykendall – 7.50
46. Kayla Carter – 7.97

60 Meters Prelims
5. Jada Baylark – 7.22
12. Kiara Parker – 7.36
15. Taliyah Brooks – 7.41

60 Meters Finals
3. Jada Baylark – 7.22

400 Meters Invitational
14. Morgan Burks-Magee – 54.15

400 Meters
22. Sydney Davis – 55.96

800 Meters Invitational
3. Joy Ripslinger – 2:08.56
5. Ruth Wiggins – 2:10.33
6. Kailee Sawyer – 2:10.87

800 Meters
6. Emily Jeacock – 2:15.11

Mile
5. Greta Taylor – 5:11.21
6. Tess Iler – 5:12.78
11. Kristen Larkan – 5:20.30

60 Meter Hurdles Qualifying
1. Janeek Brown – 8.18

60 Meter Hurdles Prelims
2. Payton Chadwick – 8.14
3. Janeek Brown – 8.16

60 Meter Hurdles Finals
3. Payton Chadwick – 8.10
7. Janeek Brown – 8.23

Long Jump Invitational
1. Taliyah Brooks – 6.57m/21-6¾

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

5,000 Meters
30. Maddy Reed – 16:36.61
39. Sydney Brown – 16:51.70

Hogs get past Auburn for second win of season

ESPN Arkansas News Services
-
0

FAYETTEVILLE — Five Razorbacks took seven event titles, including four on bars, as 10th-ranked Arkansas eased past 15th-ranked Auburn, 196.750-194.875, Friday night inside Barnhill Arena.

“It was a good meet,” said head coach Mark Cook. “Hailey Garner competed on vault for the first time in two years and looked strong. On Bars we were lights out. It was a good meet. We were a little bit tired on balance beam, but we finished strong on the floor. ”

The 1.875-point final margin was the widest in the 16-year series history against Auburn. Arkansas’ 196.750 was its second-highest score of the season and fifth-straight over 196.

First Rotation: Arkansas Vault: 48.975, Auburn Bars: 48.275
Competing just five athletes on vault, Arkansas gained a seven-tenths advantage after the first rotation. Arkansas’ three anchors each got scores of 9.850 or higher with senior Braie Speed leading the way with a 9.875. Freshman Sarah Shaffer and senior Amanda Wellick recorded scores of 9.850.

“It felt really good to be back at home tonight,” said Wellick. “We started off on vault dialed in and kept the momentum going.”

Second Rotation: Arkansas Bars: 49.450, Auburn Vault: 48.775
Four scores of 9.900 gave Arkansas a huge advantage through two rotations as the Razorbacks posted their second-highest bar score in program history. Shaffer began the high scoring with a 9.900 in the second spot, as fellow freshman Sydney Laird followed that up with a 9.850. Arkansas’ three anchors again posted high scores, this time as Wellick, Speed and sophomore Hailey Garner all scored a 9.900 to give the Razorbacks a 49.450 event score.

Third Rotation: Arkansas Beam: 49.050 , Auburn Floor: 48.900
Wellick and sophomore Michaela Burton led the Razorbacks on beam with scores of 9.850 each. Sophomore Jessica Yamzon recorded a 9.825 to round out the top-three for Arkansas. The Razorbacks recovered from a single low score to post a 49.050 and extend its lead over the tigers to 1.525 points.

Fourth Rotation: Arkansas Floor: 49.275, Auburn Beam: 48.925
The Razorbacks posted a 49.275 in the final rotation to take the team event title in all four events for the first time this season. Arkansas extended its lead even further in the final rotation led by Shaffer who posted her second 9.900 of the night. It’s the second-straight meet with a 9.900 on floor for Shaffer, and her second-consecutive meet recording two 9.900’s. Yamzon and Burton were just behind Shaffer with 9.875’s each.

“We’re feeling pretty confident,” said Wellick. “We know we’re a strong team this year. We’re excited. Tonight was a fun meet.”

Yamzon took her second all-around title of the season with a 39.225. Shaffer tallied a 38.775 with three scores over 9.850.

Up Next:
Arkansas heads to St. Louis, Missouri for the Mardi Gras Invitational against LSU, Missouri and George Washington. The meet is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. and will stream live on FloGymnastics (subscription required).

Arkansas sweeps singles matches against SMU on Friday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
-
0

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas (5-3) used a sweep of all six doubles courts Friday to defeat SMU, 6-1, at the SMU Tennis Complex for its fourth straight win.

Arkansas fell behind 1-0 early, as the Mustangs claimed the doubles point. The Razorbacks dropped first on court three as Branch Terrell and Alex Reco fell 6-2 to Charles Nettlefold and Roberto Rosales.

SMU took court one 6-4, as Jan-Simon Vrbsky and Tomas Vaise topped Adam Sanjurjo and Oscar Mesquida. Jose Salazar and Josh Howard-Tripp won 6-4 on court two.

Arkansas was able to tie the match 1-1, as No. 59 Salazar won his fifth straight singles match, defeating SMU’s Jan-Simon Vrbsky at the top spot 6-3, 6-3. Salazar has a team-best record of 7-1 this spring in singles.

The Razorbacks quickly jumped out to a 3-1 lead, as Howard-Tripp closed out Nettlefold 6-4, 7-5 on court two and P. Alonso mirrored Howard-Tripp with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Rosales on court four.

After dropping the first set on courts three and five, Mesquida and Reco were both able to win their respective second sets to force a decisive set.

Reco was able to close out his opponent before Mesquida with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 over Eladio Fabregas.

With the victory, Reco has won each of his last four singles matches to start the spring season 4-1.

Mesquida followed shortly after with a 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2 win over Vaise to put the Hogs up 5-1.

On the final court, J. Alonso defeated Gardiner Perotti 6-7 (8), 6-3, 1-0 (4) to give Arkansas the 6-1 win.

Arkansas will travel further south to Austin, Texas, for another 1 p.m. match with the 16th-ranked Texas Longhorns on Sunday afternoon.

Arkansas 6, SMU 1

Singles Results – Order of finish (1,2,4,5,3,6)
1. #59 Jose Salazar (AR) def. Jan-Simon Vrbsky (SMU) 6-3, 6-3
2. Josh Howard-Tripp (AR) def. Charles Nettlefold (SMU) 6-4, 7-5
3. Oscar Mesquida (AR) def. Tomas Vaise (SMU) 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2
4. Pedro Alonso (AR) def. Roberto Rosales (SMU) 6-4, 7-5
5. Alex Reco (AR) def. Eladio Fabregas (SMU) 6-7 (3-7), 6-2, 6-2
6. Jose Alonso (AR) def. Gardiner Perotti (SMU) 6-7 (8-10), 6-3, 1-0 (10-4)

 Doubles Results – Order of finish (3,1)
1. Jan-Simon Vrbsky/Tomas Vaise (SMU) def. Adam Sanjurjo/Oscar Mesquida (AR) 6-4
2. Jose Salazar/Josh Howard-Tripp (AR) def. Gardiner Perotti/Eladio Fabregas (SMU) 6-4
3. Charles Nettlefold/Roberto Rosales (SMU) def. Branch Terrell/Alex Reco (AR) 6-2

No. 4 Razorbacks will be playing in Puerto Rico this week

ESPN Arkansas News Services
-
0

FAYETTEVILLE — Fourth-ranked Arkansas returns to the links this week, making their 10th appearance at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sunday-Tuesday.

The event takes place at the Rio Del Mar Ocean Course where the Razorbacks have two team titles and four medalist honors.

Junior Maria Fassi is one of those medalists. The Hildalgo, Mexico, native, won the event in 2016 shooting an 8-under 208 in her first collegiate event.

Fassi has paced Arkansas to three fall team titles and has a pair of individual wins this season.

Senior Alana Uriell earned the top spot in this tournament’s qualifying play. Uriell had three top-5 finishes including runner-up performance in the final fall event.

Also traveling is Dylan Kim, Kaylee Benton and Jordy LaBarbera. Freshman Maria Hoyos is in the sixth spot in the compete six, count four format.

Kim has three top-5 finishes and Benton played in all four fall events.

LaBarbera earned her first spot in the lineup and Hoyos is making her second appearance as an individual player.

Inside the Ropes
• Lady Puerto Rico Classic | Feb. 11-13
• San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Rio Del Mar Ocean Course
• Live Scoring: Golfstat.com
• Field: No. 4 Arkansas, No. 92 Augusta, No. 19 Colorado, No. 38 East Carolina, No. 26 Iowa State, No. 22 Kent State, No. 62 Maryland, No. 43 North Carolina State, No. 113 Nebraska, No. 17 Purdue, No. 65 TCU

The Lineup Stroke Average W-L Rank (Golfweek | Golfstat | SEC)
Alana Uriell 69.67 281-20 12 | 10 | 4
Maria Fassi 69.00 286-15 4 | 5 | 2
Dylan Kim 70.08 277-24 17 | 15 | 5
Kaylee Benton 73.83 159-142 217 | 198 | T38
Jordy LaBarbera TBA – –
Maria Hoyos 73.33 | 53 | 20 | –

Hogs return home, hosting doubleheader on Saturday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
-
0

FAYETTEVILLE — After four straight matches away from home, Arkansas returns home Saturday for a pair of matches against Wichita State and Southeast Missouri State.

Match Times
The Razorbacks will take on the Shockers at 11 a.m., and then the Redhawks at 2 p.m.

Promotions
Admission is free. Saturday’s matches will feature complimentary Keurig products, popcorn and Pepsi soft drinks for all fans in attendance.

Live Coverage
Fans can follow Saturday’s matches through live scoring at RazorbackStats.com.

Previous Matches
Last season, the Razorbacks defeated Wichita State twice, earning a 4-0 win on Feb. 20, and then a 4-2 victory on May 13 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Series
Arkansas boasts a 21-1 edge in the all-time series against Wichita State. Saturday will mark the first ever meeting between Arkansas and Southeast Missouri State.

Notables
Arkansas has won the doubles point in each of its five matches this season. In singles, Pairone enters the weekend with a team-best 5-0 record.

Approaching 200
In his 15th season at the helm of the Razorbacks, Hegarty is the program’s all-time winningest coach with 199 victories. He’s led Arkansas to nine NCAA Tournament appearances, including three straight.

Dave Van Horn Interview

ESPN Arkansas News Services
-
0

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Friday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
-
0
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Friday

Morning Rush Hour 2

ESPN Arkansas News Services
-
0

Morning Rush Hour 1

ESPN Arkansas News Services
-
0

Cosper, Monk have career nights in loss to Vols

ESPN Arkansas News Services
-
0

FAYETTEVILLE — Devin Cosper and Malica Monk had career nights and Arkansas overcame a double-digit deficit but couldn’t hold off No. 11 Tennessee, falling 90-85, in Southeastern Conference action in Bud Walton Arena on Thursday night.

The game was close for much of the night until the Lady Vols (20-4, 8-3 SEC) stretched their lead to 10 points heading into the fourth quarter.

Arkansas outscored Tennessee 28-23 in the frame but had to foul late in the game with time running out.

Cosper scored a career-best 29 points going 10-for-14 from the floor including a 6-for-9 performance from 3-point range. Monk finished with a career-high 25 points including a career-best 4-for-4 performance from distance.

Jailyn Mason added 11 points and Kiara Williams scored nine points and had 10 rebounds for Arkansas (12-12, 3-8 SEC).

Tennessee, who ranks second in the nation in free throw shooting, went 15-for-20 from the line to get the win.

Arkansas outscored Tennessee 29-0 in fast break points and forced 19 Lady Vol turnovers, turning that into 24 points.

The Razorbacks outscored a much taller Tennessee, 32-30, in the paint but Arkansas was out-rebounded 45-26 in the game.

Notes

• Devin Cosper scored a career-best 29 points. It is her sixth 20+ point game of the year and the seventh of her career. It is the 17th game of the season in double figures and the 40th double-digit scoring game of her career. She had a career-high for field goals made (14) and tied her career-best for 3-point field goals made (6).

• Malica Monk scored a career-high 25 points. It is the 23rd game this season and the 39th of her career with double figure points. It is the ninth game of the season/her career with 20+ points. She tied her career-best for field goals made (9) and had a career high for 3-point field goals made (4).

• Jailyn Mason scored 11 points. It is her 15th game of the year in double figures and the 25th of her career.

• Kiara Williams grabbed 10 rebounds. It is her seventh season/career game with double figure boards.

• Bailey Zimmerman played a career-high 40 minutes.

Up Next

Arkansas hosts No. 15 Missouri on Sunday, No. 11 at 4 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena.

1...1,6441,6451,646...1,811Page 1,645 of 1,811