Razorbacks collect three titles at Arkansas Invitational

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — No. 3 Arkansas matched its preseason rank with three event wins Friday afternoon at the season-opening Arkansas Invitational at the Randal Tyson Track Center.

Kenzo Cotton, Jamarco Stephen and Cameron Griffith all raced to victories while Obi Igbokwe posted a nation-leading time at 200 meters.

2018 Arkansas Invitational Results

“Performances aside, being in the right frame of mind is most important to us right now,” coach Chris Bucknam said. “When you do talk about the performances, you have to talk about Kenzo in the 60 (meters) and Gabe Moore with what he’s doing to get ready for the heptathlon.

“Then there’s Cameron, Jack and all those guys racing down at 1,000 (meters) for their first race on the track after a tough week of work. Obi ran a great race. It’s only Jan. 12 and we had some fast times today.”

2018 Arkansas Invitational Event Champions
Kenzo Cotton – 60m
Jamarco Stephen – 600m
Cameron Griffith – 1,000m

Paced by Cotton’s winning performance at 60 meters, the Razorbacks placed five inside the top 12 including four top-10 efforts.

Racing against former teammates Jarrion Lawson and Marqueze Washington, Cotton pulled away and crossed the finish line in a time of 6.63 which is the No. 2 time in the NCAA based on marks entering the weekend.

In his second race of the day, Obi Igbokwe was the top collegian and third overall at 200 meters in an NCAA-leading time of 20.78.

Arkansas swept the top three spots and secured seven of the top 10 at 1,000 meters. Griffith posted a first-place time of 2:23.21 and was followed across the line by teammates Jack Bruce and Ethan Moehn, respectively.

The Razorbacks’ first win of the day — and season — was another mid-distance top performance by Stephen in 1:19.43 at 600 meters.

In preparation for upcoming heptathlons this indoor season, Gabe Moore competed in three events and responded with a personal-best effort in the 60-meter hurdles.

He crossed in a time of 8.16, lowering his previous best of 8.41 from last year’s Razorback Invitational.

In addition to the shot put, Moore also posted a 4.60m/15-1 clearance in the pole vault.

Senior standout Kemar Mowatt, named to The Bowerman Preseason Watch List earlier this week, opened his campaign as the top collegiate performer in the 60-meter hurdles.

He clocked a time of 8.08 in the event and returned to the track with a top-10 effort at 200 meters.

Mowatt is the defending SEC champion and NCAA bronze medalist in the 400-meter hurdles, his signature event during the outdoor season.

“I’m very pleased,” Bucknam said. “Everything felt good with our guys and their body language and the way they prepared yesterday and today. These early meets can be dangerous.

“Some of these guys, Kenzo for example, haven’t competed since last year’s (NCAA) outdoor meet or the USA Championships. I’m really proud of the way they prepared themselves for today.”

Bucknam and his Razorbacks hit the road next weekend for the Simmons-Harvey Quad in Ann Arbor, Mich., against Ohio State, Michigan State and host Michigan.

Arkansas returns to its home track Jan. 26-27 for the Razorback Invitational.

Arkansas Invitational
January 12, 2018
Randal Tyson Track Center (Fayetteville, Ark.)

60 Meters
1. Kenzo Cotton – 6.63
5. Roy Ejiakuekwu – 6.75
7. Rhayko Schwartz – 6.83 [PR – previous: 6.93]
9. Harrison Schrage – 6.89 [PR – previous: 6.95]
12. Obi Igbokwe – 6.93

200 Meters
3. Obi Igbokwe – 20.78 [PR – previous: 20.87] *top collegian
5. Rhayko Schwartz – 21.29
7. Kemar Mowatt – 21.44

400 Meters
8. Hunter Woodhall – 49.21

600 Meters
1. Jamarco Stephen – 1:19.43
4. John Winn – 1: 20.66

800 Meters
3. Chase Pareti – 1:53.04
5. Travius Chambers – 1:57.72

1,000 Meters
1. Cameron Griffith – 2:23.21
2. Jack Bruce – 2:25.41
3. Ethan Moehn – 2:25.46
5. Kyle Hosting – 2:29.13
5. Kieran Taylor – 2:29.13
8. Kyle Levermore – 2:29.80
10. Colin O’Mara – 2:33.00

Mile
9. Graham Brown – 4:16.23

60m Hurdles
4. Kemar Mowatt – 8.08 *top collegian
5. Gabe Moore – 8.16 [PR – previous: 8.41]
8. Travius Chambers – 8.26

High Jump
2. Brendon Rivera – 2.00m/6-6.75

Pole Vault
7. Gabe Moore – 4.60m/15-1
10. Brandon Stokes – 4.30m/14-1.25

Triple Jump
2. Laquan Nairn – 15.52m/50-11 *top collegian
3. Rubin Owens – 15.43m/50-7.5

Shot Put
2. Sam Kempka – 16.45m/53-11.75 *top collegian
3. Jeff Rogers – 15.85m/52-0
6. Gabe Moore – 13.43m/44-0.74

Weight Throw
2. Erich Sullins – 19.10m/62-8

Stumbaugh-Chadwick has stunning showing in indoor return

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — No. 2 Arkansas opened its season in phenomenal fashion on Friday evening at the Randal Tyson Track Center in front of a crowd of 1,353 Razorback fans.

Arkansas picked up five event titles throughout the day, with event victories in the 60-meter dash, 60-meter hurdles, high jump, pole vault and long jump.

“Looking forward our future appears to be very positive considering we only ran about 75 percent of our team,” head coach Lance Harter said. “We have a lot of major players that will open up in the weeks to come but whenever you can have a breakthrough like Payton Stumbaugh-Chadwick did with her lifetime PR in the long jump and in the hurdles you’re on the right track.

“Taliyah Brooks had a great day opening up close to her PR in the high jump and running a great 60. Tori [Hoggard] took care of business with a 14-foot jump in the vault. We just had a great showing by our veterans tonight.”

Springdale native Payton Stumbaugh-Chadwick headlined the home opener capturing a pair of event titles with victories in the 60-meter hurdles and the long jump.

The indoor bout was the first for the multi since the 2016 season, having sat out last year due to injury.

Opening the day with the long jump, Stumbaugh-Chadwick leapt to a PR of 6.28m/20-7¼ on her first jump, eclipsing her previous best by one foot. She went on to improve upon her best, finishing the event in first place with 6.30m/20-8, which ranks her as the fifth-best long jumper in program history.

The All-American pentathlete wrapped up her individual events, dominating her competition in the 60 hurdles, placing first with a season best of 8.18.

“Overall, I feel really great,” Stumbaugh-Chadwick said. “I executed all of the little things. Training has been really great all fall. I took this fall as a time to get better and get faster. I accomplished that tonight and that was just the beginning.”

New Generation
Freshmen Morgan Burks-Magee and Joy Ripslinger raced to top-five finishes in the 400 and 600-meter dashes, respectively.

Competing for the first time as Razorbacks, Burks-Magee and Ripslinger were the top collegiate finishers in their events, bested only by professional runners.

Additional Notable Performances
Sophomore Carina Viljoen finished as the runner-up in the 1,000-meter run, off a PR-performance of 2 minutes, 47.24 seconds.

Viljoen’s time was a seven-second improvement of her previous best. Another sophomore shined for the Hogs as 2017 SEC indoor 5,000-meter champion Taylor Werner opened her second year as a Razorback with a personal best in the mile of 4:41.31.

Werner finished well ahead of her collegiate competitors, second only to unattached runner Maggie Montoya.

“Carina ran a huge PR in the 1,000 and Taylor opened up strong in the mile,” Harter said. “A newcomer in Joy ran a fantastic time in the 600. We’re just excited for what is to come.”

Event Winners
• 60 Meters: Jada Baylark, 7.37
• 60 Meter Hurdles: Payton Stumbaugh-Chadwick, 8.18
• High Jump: Taliyah Brooks, 1.80m/5-10 3/4
• Pole Vault: Tori Hoggard, 4.29m/14-0 3/4
• Long Jump: Payton Stumbaugh-Chadwick, 6.30m/20-8

Arkansas will hit the road next week, traveling to Ann Arbor, Michigan for the Simmons-Harvey Quadrangular hosted by the University of Michigan, Saturday, Jan. 20.

Arkansas Invitational
January 12, 2018
Randal Tyson Track Center (Fayetteville, Ark.)

60 Meters
1. Jada Baylark – 7.37
4. Kiara Parker – 7.45
6. Taliyah Brooks – 7.53
9. Tamara Kuykendall – 7.69
20. Kayla Carter – 7.97

200 Meters
2. Jada Baylark – 23.93
5. Kiara Parker – 24.42
Tamara Kuykendall – 24.64
8. Janeek Brown – 24.72
9. Kayla Carter – 25.84
24. Jessica Dolezal – 27.11

400 Meters
4. Morgan Burks-Magee – 54.58
5. Sydney Hammit – 56.65
7. Sydney Davis – 57.81
16. Jessica Dolezal – 1:02.73

600 Meters
3. Joy Ripslinger – 1:32.36
6. Ruth Wiggins – 1:36.91
7. Emily Jeacock – 1:38.44

1,000 Meters
2. Carina Viljoen – 2:47.24

Mile
2. Taylor Werner – 4:41.31
4. Sydney Brown – 4:53.63
7. Maddy Reed – 4:57.22
8. Ashton Endsley – 4:57.59
18. Rachel Nichwitz – 5:12.00
19. Greta Taylor – 5:12.06
29. Grace Taylor – 5:19.66
32. Alex Ritchey – 5:21.89
38. Tess Iler – 5:32.25
41. Kristen Larkan – 5:34.95

60m Hurdles
1. Payton Stumbaugh-Chadwick – 8.18
3. Kelsey Herman – 8.56

4x400m Relay
2. Arkansas A – Burks-Magee, Stumbaugh-Chadwick, Hammit, Baylark – 3:39.86
3. Arkansas B – Davis, Ripslinger, Parker, Jeacock – 3:50.59

High Jump
1. Taliyah Brooks – 1.80m/5-10¾
4. Kelsey Herman – 1.65m/5-5
5. Carmen Sitz – 1.65m/5-5

Pole Vault
1. Tori Hoggard – 4.29m/14-0¾¼
7. Morgan Hartsell – 3.84m/12-7¼
10. Elly Ramos Mata – 3.69m/12-1¼
14. Rylee Robinson – 3.49m/11-5¼
19. Madeline Telford – 3.29m/10-9½

Long Jump
1. Payton Stumbaugh-Chadwick – 6.30m/20-8

Coaches hit ground running on first day recruiting

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Social media makes it a little easier to get some ideas of who coaches are contacting as the dead period ended Thursday and coaches hit the ground running Friday.

Offensive lineman Noah Gatlin in Jonesboro had a visitor.

Then Barry Lunney was running all over Arkansas, it seemed.

He visited with Treylon Burks in Warren, Hudson Henry in Little Rock (Pulaski Academy) and Stacey Wilkins in Camden (Fairview).

He also was at a basketball game.

Mark Smith was in Oklahoma, visiting with Owasso defensive end Courtre Alexander.

Jestin Stepp covered a lot of territory in Texas.

Defensive coordinator John Chavis and secondary coach Ron Cooper were in Birmingham.

Recruiting territories for new Arkansas coaches

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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en no official release, but multiple recruiting sites have reported the breakdown of recruiting areas for Chad Morris’ new football staff.

Here’s how the new coaching staff’s area of responsibilities will be defined:

OFFENSE

Joe Craddock, Offensive Coordinator: Northwest Arkansas, Northwest Dallas-Fort Worth, Alabama, Central Florida

Jeff Traylor, Running Backs: Texarkana area of Arkansas, East Texas

Justin Stepp, Wide Receivers: South-central Arkansas, Southeast Dallas-Fort Worth, Georgia, South Carolina

Barry Lunney Jr., Tight Ends: River Valley area, Little Rock area, Tulsa, Oklahoma City

Dustin Fry, Offensive Line: Hot Springs area, Northeast Dallas-Fort Worth, Mississippi JUCOs, South Carolina

DEFENSE

John Chavis, Defensive Coordinator: Northwest Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana

John Scott Jr., Defensive Tackles: Northeast Arkansas, South Dallas, North Houston, Georgia

Steve Caldwell, Defensive Ends: North central Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas JUCOs

Ron Cooper, Safeties: Southeast Arkansas, Louisiana, South Houston, South Florida

Mark Smith, Cornerbacks: East central Arkansas, Fort Worth, Southwest Dallas-Fort Worth, Central Texas

Morning Rush Hour 3

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Friday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Friday

Morning Rush Hour 2

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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morning Rush Hour 1

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Hogs can’t overcome slow start on road at Georgia

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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ATHENS, Ga. — Three players in double figures couldn’t overcome a slow start on the road as Arkansas dropped a 78-65 Southeastern Conference decision at Georgia in Athens on Thursday.

The Lady Bulldogs stretched the lead to as many as 18 in the first half and it looked like Arkansas would not be able to answer but the Razorbacks found a spark in the second quarter to make the game interesting.

Arkansas (10-7, 1-3 SEC) got 16 points from Malica Monk, 15 points from Jailyn Mason and a season-best 11 points from Bailey Zimmerman but Georgia (15-2, 3-1 SEC) opened a 15-7 lead after the first 10 minutes and never trailed.

The Razorbacks were forced to foul late in the game and the Lady Bulldogs hit the bonus shots to pull away in the final minutes.

Arkansas posted a big rally in the second stanza outscoring the Lady Bulldogs 18-16 and closing within six points, 31-25, at the break.

The Razorbacks put together a 15-3 run over a five-minute stretch that included a 7-0 run as the quarter ended.

Georgia went 0-for-7 and had five turnovers late in the frame as the Razorbacks controlled the momentum heading into the locker room.

The pace of the game intensified in the third quarter and Arkansas took advantage of a 7-0 run to close within three points, 43-40, just before the media timeout.

Arkansas won the period, 24-23, but trailed the Lady Bulldogs, 54-49, with 10 minutes to play.

Georgia hit a back of baskets to start the final quarter. The momentum shift got the crowd back into the game. The Razorbacks pulled within one point twice in the fourth quarter but were unable to take the lead on the road.

Notes

• Jailyn Mason was the first Razorback in double figures. It is her 10th double-figure game of the year and her fourth in a row.

• Malica Monk was in double figures for the 16th time this season. It was the 10th time this year that Monk has led the team in scoring.

• Bailey Zimmerman had a season-best 11 points. She was 1-for-29 from distance but went 3-for-5 from 3-point range in the game.

• Arkansas had 10 steals. It is the sixth time this season the Razorbacks have posted double digit steals.

Up Next

Arkansas faces Auburn on Sunday at 4 p.m. in a game that will air on the SEC Network.

It is the first of six consecutive SEC Network games for the Razorbacks.

A home contest with Florida on Jan. 18, is sandwiched between another road swing that takes Arkansas to No. 12 Missouri on Jan. 21, and to No. 9 South Carolina on Jan. 25.

No. 2 Hogs kick off indoor with Arkansas Invitational

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Fayetteville — Preseason second-ranked Arkansas begins its 2018 indoor season as the Razorbacks host the Arkansas Invitational beginning at 1 p.m. Friday inside the Tyson Track Center.

Who: #2 Arkansas, Arkansas Baptist, Coffeyville CC, Missouri Southern, Oral Roberts, Texas Tech and Tulsa
Entry: Adults $5, Youth 17 under admitted free
Important Links: Live Results | Meet Schedule | SEC+
Promotions: Track Capital of the World posters and magnets pick up

Leading the charge for the Razorbacks this season will be three All-American multi-event performers in Taliyah Brooks, Payton Stumbaugh-Chadwick and Kelsey Herman while All-American pole vault trio of Desiree Freier, Tori (Weeks) Hoggard and Lexi (Weeks) Jacobus also look to be impact contributors for Arkansas this season.

Events to Watch:     

60 Meters
Featured Razorbacks: Kiara Parker (PR: 7.36) and Jada Baylark (PR:7.46)
The 60-meter dash features young short sprinters in Kiara Parker and Jada Baylark both who capped their 2017 campaign as national qualifiers in the 100-meter dash.

400 Meters
Featured Razorbacks: Morgan Burks-Magee (PR: 54.03)
Arkansas will get its first glimpse at the promise of Morgan Burks-Magee who will be racing former Razorback top quarter-milers Sparkle McKnight and Daina Harper. Both McKnight and Harper qualified for the IWF World Championships for Trinidad and Tobago and the United States, respectively.

600 Meters
Featured Razorbacks: Joy Ripslinger (PR: N/A) and Chrishuna Williams (PR: N/A)
Davenport, Iowa native Joy Ripslinger will flex her middle distance prowess alongside former Razorback and 800-meter Olympian Chrisuana Williams. Riplsinger capped her career as a prep as a New Balance indoor nationals All-American.

Mile
Featured Razorbacks: Taylor Werner (PR: N/A) and Ashton Endsley (PR: N/A)
A national qualifier in all three seasons, during her freshman year, distance standout Taylor Werner will look to get some distance work opening up in the mile. Werner will be joined by Abilene, Texas native Ashton Endlsey who excelled in the event during her time competing at the high school level.

60M Hurdles
Featured Razorbacks: Payton Stumbaugh-Chadwick (PR: 8.09) and Janeek Brown (PR: N/A)
The 60-meter hurdles will feature the return of top Arkansas hurdler Payton Stumbaugh-Chadwick, who redshirted during the 2017 season due to injury. Stumbaugh-Chadwick will be pushed by Razorback recruit Jamaican Janeek Brown who joins the Hogs after international success as a Jamaican prep.

Indoor Home Slate
Arkansas Invitational, Friday, Jan. 12
Razorback Invitational, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 26-27
Tyson Invitational, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 9-10
Arkansas Qualifier, Friday, Feb. 16

No. 3-ranked Arkansas ready for home opener

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Recently ranked third in the USTFCCCA preseason poll, Arkansas will embark on its 2018 indoor campaign this Friday as the hosts of the Arkansas Invitational.

The meet will begin Friday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. with the men’s shot put while running events will follow at 3 p.m.

Who: No. 3 Arkansas, No. 11 Kansas, Arkansas Baptist, Coffeyville CC, Missouri, Missouri State, New Orleans, Oklahoma Christian, Oral Roberts, Southern Methodist and Tulsa
Entry: Adults $5, Youth 17 under admitted free
Important Links: Live Results | Meet Schedule | SEC+
Promotions: Track Capital of the World posters and magnets

Moving on without two-time NCAA triple jump national champion Clive Pullen this season, the Razorbacks remain resolute in their expectation of excellence.

Arkansas will be led by senior Kenzo Cotton who has made an appearance at both the indoor and outdoor national meets in every season in which he has competed for the Razorbacks.

Events to Watch:
60 Meters
Featured Hogs: Kenzo Cotton (PR: 6.56) and Roy Ejiakuekwu (PR: 6.71)
The 60-meter dash will showcase an epic matchup between current and former hogs. Olympian Jarrion Lawson and professional sprinter Marqueze Washington will line up next to their former 4-x-100-meter relay teammate Kenzo Cotton for an early season speed battle.

200 Meters
Featured Hogs: Obi Igbokwe (Indoor PR: 20.87) and Kemar Mowatt (Indoor PR: 21.07)
The Bowerman preseason watch list selection Kemar Mowatt and 400-meter All-American Obi Igbokwe will headline the 200-meter dash for the Razorbacks. Igbokwe will take on three former NCAA sprint powers Aldrich Bailey, Fred Kerley and Marqueze Washington.

1,000 Meters
Featured Hogs: Jack Bruce (PR: N/A) and Ethan Moehn (PR: 2:27.27)
2017 All-American Distance Medley Relay teammates Jack Bruce and Ethan Moehn will get in some speed work in section of the 1,000-meter run. Although Bruce enters with no previous performance at that distance, his mile PR of 4 minutes .72 seconds speaks levels about the turnover capability of the tall Australian native.

Triple Jump
Featured Hogs: Rubin Owens (PR: 15.65m/51-4) and LaQuan Nairn (PR: 15.65m/51-4)
A fourth-place finisher at the 2017 SEC Indoor Championships Rubin Owens will take center stage for the Razorbacks in the triple jump at the Arkansas Invitational. Along with Owens, the Razorbacks will get a firsthand look at just what two-time NJCAA triple jump champion LaQuan Nairn is capable of.

Indoor Home Slate
Arkansas Invitational, Friday, Jan. 12
Razorback Invitational, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 26-27
Tyson Invitational, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 9-10
Arkansas Qualifier, Friday, Feb. 16

*Upcoming meet

Season tickets are available online, contacting the Razorback Athletics Ticket Center at 800-982-HOGS, or visiting in person. The Ticket Center is located just east of Baum Stadium at 1295 S. Razorback Road in Fayetteville.

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