Arkansas Qualifier provides opportunity to improve prior to SEC, NCAA meets

FAYETTEVILLE – The Arkansas Qualifier features an opportunity for individuals and relays to produce improved times prior to upcoming conference and NCAA Indoor championship meets among the 33 schools scheduled to compete on Friday, February 18, in the Randal Tyson Track Center.

“This is an opportunity to correct best laid plans that went awry,” noted Arkansas women’s head coach Lance Harter. “Now, they can use this meet as their last chance qualifier.

“So, we have a couple of key races where we can either improve marks to qualify for the NCAA Indoor or improve seeding marks for the SEC meet.”

The Razorback milers will race again at that distance after competing in Washington last weekend. Five Razorback vaulters are in the field with Natassja Campbell and Bailee McCorkle leading the crew. In addition, Arkansas redshirt Amanda Fassold will be vaulting.

In the 60m hurdles, where collegiate times have been very fast this indoor season, the Razorback trio of Jayla Hollis, Daszay Freeman and Yovienny Mota will race. Also in the field are a couple of USC hurdlers along with professionals Cindy Sember, Christina Clemons, and Arkansas alum Taliyah Brooks.

“The mile, primarily, is our focus,” stated Harter. “Always, the sprints and pole vault are our bread and butter. We have some people who need one more shot to have a good performance before we head to Texas A&M for the SEC Championships next week.

“The mile is led by Krissy Gear, since things didn’t go according to plan at Washington. So, we’ll set up a rabbited race for her to get a qualifying mark. Isabel Van Camp and Logan Jolly are also going to run a fast mile as preparation for the SEC meet.”

Paris Peoples lines up in the fast heat of the 400m with USC’s Kimberly Harris, Leah Anderson of St. John’s, and post-collegian Na’Asha Robinson. Also contesting the 400m for Arkansas are Ashanti Denton and Kethlin Campbell.

In the 200m, the last section includes Jada Baylark and Joanne Reid for the Razorbacks along with Anavia Battle of Ohio State and Missouri State’s Madison Meredith. An early section includes Arkansas volunteer assistant Shamier Little.

G’Auna Edwards will high jump in the meet while the triple jump includes Jamaican professional Kimberly Williams, a four-time NCAA champion with Florida State who has been in three Olympic finals and was a silver medalist at the 2018 World Indoors.