Razorback DMR races for first time this season in Arkansas Qualifier
FAYETTEVILLE – The Arkansas Qualifier hosted by the Razorbacks on Friday, February 18, inside the Randal Tyson Track Center provides a mixture of 33 Division I and Division II schools an opportunity to improve marks to qualify for the upcoming NCAA Indoor Championships.
“It’s one of those meets where teams are going to bring selective athletes to Fayetteville,” said Arkansas men’s head coach Chris Bucknam. “Usually that means it’s going to be a high-quality meet. There will be a lot of great races for people to watch. From the mile, to 3k, and the distance medley for our team, there will be some hot races.”
The Razorbacks will contest the distance medley relay for the first time this indoor season. Joining Arkansas in the relay are Alabama, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, and Washington.
“We are leading off Andrew Kibet on the 1,200m leg, then our top 400m guy in James Benson, at 800m we will have Kieran Taylor, who is No. 3 on NCAA list with a 1:47.12, and we will anchor with our freshman Elias Schreml, who has run 3:57 in the mile,” noted Bucknam. “We’re loading it up and seeing how fast we can run.”
Oklahoma State is the current collegiate leader at 9:28.88, which was set on the Tyson track during the Razorback Invitational in January. The 12th best time currently on the 2022 collegiate list is 9:42, so teams will be aiming for sub 9:40 times to be among the top 12 times that qualify for the NCAA Championships.
After setting the Arkansas school record in the 5,000m last weekend, Amon Kemboi will focus on the 3,000m this weekend. The field will include Iowa State’s Wesley Kiptoo, Washington’s Isaac Green, as well as a pair of Razorback alums in Cameron Griffith and Austen Dalquist.
The 60m hurdles will feature seven Arkansas entrants led by Phillip Lemonious, Tre’Bien Gilbert, and Brevin Sims. The Razorbacks will also have seven entered in the 400m as Brandon Battle and Jeremy Farr racing in the fastest section with USC’s Johnnie Blockburger and New Mexico’s Jevon O’Bryant.
Roman Turner competes in the 60m while the 200m will include James Benson II and Connor Washington for Arkansas.
Following a slew of PRs last weekend, the 800m crew will have Ricardo Banks, Jadon Bartholomew, and Ethan Carney in the last section along with four entrants from Iowa State, which includes Alexander Lomong and Frank Hayes.
Arkansas alum Laquan Nairn headlines the long jump field, which includes a future Razorback in Isaiah Sategna, who will also contest the 60m.