Top-ranked Hogs face challenges at home, on road

FAYETTEVILLE — No. 1 in the national polls for the second-consecutive week Arkansas looks to maintain its top-ranked stature, in search of improved performances this weekend in Fayetteville at the Tyson Invitational and on the road in Seattle, Washington at the Husky Classic.

“The majority of the crew will be here this weekend, while with distance it’s almost mandated that you have to go to Washington to get a qualifying time,” head coach Lance Harter said. “It’s nice to be highly thought of [in reference to No. 1 rank]. We have balance across the board and we’re a pretty potent team. Will all those points come at the national meet, well they’re harder to come by at that meet but we’re definitely in the conversation.”

Tyson Teams
Well-known as one of the most competitive indoor meets in the country for the sprints and field events the Tyson Invitational will see the Razorbacks match up against 31 collegiate programs and several of the top professional athletes from around the world. Out of the 32 programs (Arkansas included) competing at the Randal Tyson Track Center this weekend six are nationally ranked among the top-25 best in the country including: No. 1 Arkansas, No. 7 LSU, No. 9 Texas, No. 14 Missouri, No. 16 Baylor and No. 23 Indiana.

Date/Time: Friday, Feb. 9, 4:30 p.m. | Saturday, Feb. 10, 1:30 p.m.
Venue: Randal Tyson Track Center
Tickets: $5 for Adults, 17 and under free
Important Links: Meet Schedule | Live Results | SEC+ (Fri.) | SEC+ (Sat.)

Events to Watch Tyson:
Friday
• 5:15 p.m./6:25 p.m. | 60 Meter Hurdles Prelims/Finals
Featured Razorback: Payton Chadwick (PR: 8.09)

• 5:30 p.m. | Long Jump Invitational
Featured Razorback: Taliyah Brooks (PR: 21-3)

• 5:50 p.m./6:35 p.m. | 60 Meters Prelims/Finals
Featured Razorback: Jada Baylark (PR: 7.24)

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)

Husky Classic 
Sophomore Taylor Werner headlines a group of six Razorbacks journeying to Seattle this weekend for stiff competition in the distance events at the Husky Classic. Werner heads into the meet looking to improve upon her 3,000-meter performance (9:10.40), which currently ranks her at No. 13 in the NCAA. The meet will feature several nationally ranked powers including: No. 1 Arkansas, No. 3 Oregon, No. 9 Texas, No. 12 Stanford and No. 18 Tennessee.

“We want to give her [Taylor Werner] the opportunity to run with somebody,” Harter said. “So we’re looking forward to Taylor getting a good 3,000 under her belt this weekend.”

Date/Time: Friday, Feb. 9, 6 p.m. | Saturday, Feb. 5 p.m.
Venue: Dempsey Indoor Track
Important Links: WatchFloTrack (subscription required) | Heat Sheets

Events to Watch Husky Classic:
Friday
• 7:45 p.m. | 5,000 Meters 
Featured Razorback: Sydney Brown (PR: 16:24.81)

Saturday
• 3:15 p.m. | Mile
Featured Razorback: Carina Viljoen (PR: 4:46.01)

• 6:20 p.m. | 3,000 Meters Invitational
Featured Razorback: Taylor Werner (PR: 9:06.34)