Numerous Razorback debuts featured in Arkansas Invitational
FAYETTEVILLE – The Arkansas Invitational on Friday, January 12, serves as the first home meet for the defending national champion Razorbacks inside the Randal Tyson Track Center.
A total of 14 newcomers, with a split of eight freshmen and six transfers, will make their Razorback debut in the meet among a field of 19 teams. Field events begin at 11 a.m. while running events start at 12:45 p.m.
In addition to host Arkansas visiting teams for the Invitational include Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Central Arkansas, Coffeyville (Kan.) CC, Evangel (Mo.), Harding, Kansas City, Little Rock, Louisiana Tech, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State, Oral Roberts, Southwest Baptist, Stephen F. Austin, Texas A&M-Commerce, Texas A&M-Texarkana, Tulsa, UT Arlington, and UTRGV.
A live stream of the meet will be available on SEC Network + at this link: http://tinyurl.com/mr282zfe. Live results from flashresults.com will be available with this link: http://tinyurl.com/8xddzdh6.
There will be an autograph session with 2023 Bowerman winner Jaydon Hibbert from 6:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday. During the Arkansas High School Invitational on Saturday, January 13, an autograph session with various Olympic and World Championship medalist will be held from 3 to 9 p.m.
“Our goal is going to the same, and we think we have the kids to contend,” noted Arkansas women’s head coach Chris Johnson. “We’re going to find out how good we are as the weeks progress.
“We’re always developing someone else to step up and fill the shoes of those athletes who have moved on to the next level. We’ll continue to build as the meets progress this season. This week is about getting the kids on the track, figuring some things out, and having the ability to compete on their home track. We’ll have some fun and knock the rust off.”
The first race as a Razorback for talented freshman Shawnti Jackson will be over 400m as she is joined by another Arkansas freshman in Kaylyn Brown. They will be joined by Razorback Ashanti Denton and alum Paris Peoples.
Both Jackson and Brown went to separate high schools in North Carolina and sport career best times of 52.29 and 53.11, respectively. Indoor bests for the pair include 54.94 by Jackson and 57.62 for Brown.
Four freshmen making their Razorback debut in the pole vault includes Hannah Estes, Rachel Homoly, Skye Tolbert and Bailee Wooten. They will compete with returning Arkansas vaulters Amanda Fassold, the 2023 NCAA Indoor champion, and Marin Chamberlin.
Three transfer newcomers competing in the 60m hurdles are Rachel Glenn, Destiny Huven, and Sara Van Aken. They will be joined by freshman Tolbert, who pole vaults and hurdles.
Van Aken, a multi-event athlete, will also long jump and compete in the 600m, where she is joined by transfer Sanu Jallow. Huven will add the 60m while Glenn adds the 200m.
Tiana LoStracco, who competed for Arkansas during cross country, will be among seven Razorbacks racing in the mile. She is joined by Mia Cochran, Mary Ellen Eudaly, Nyah Hernandez, Mackenzie Rogers, Laura Taborda, and Sydney Thorvaldson.
Transfer Nia Robinson will compete in the high jump and triple jump in her Arkansas debut. She is joined by Sydney Billington in the high jump as well as Alexis Torns in the triple jump. Torns will also compete in the long jump.
Returning Razorbacks contesting a 60-200m double include Imani Carpenter, Rosey Effiong, MeKenze Kelley, Ariane Linton, Joanne Reid. Redshirt freshman LilliAnn Nunley races in the 300m.
The 800m field features Raevyn Rogers, an Olympic bronze medalist in Tokyo and World Championships silver medalist in 2019. Razorback Amber Anning moves up to the 800m distance and races with Razorbacks Analisse Batista, Chachi Gonzales, and redshirt freshman Lanie Meeks. Ainsley Erzen and Mary Grace Lansing will compete in the 1000m.
Alums competing on Friday include Ackera Nugent (60m), double NCAA hurdle champion, Jada Baylark (60m, 200m), Shafiqua Maloney (800m, 1000m), Katie McCune (800m), Stephanie Brown (1000m), Logan Jolly (Mile), and Claire McClune (Mile).