Stellar marks for Razorbacks across various events at Arkansas Twilight

FAYETTEVILLE – Competition in the Arkansas Twilight on Friday at John McDonnell Field provided the Razorbacks an opportunity to improve marks in various events for upcoming postseason meets with the SEC Championships and NCAA West Preliminary next on the schedule.

“I think when weather finally cooperates, and we have warmer temperatures, then we have some outstanding performances,” said Arkansas women’s head coach Lance Harter.  “Across the board everyone tells us they are healthy, and we can move forward and try to win a title at the SEC meet.”

On a day in which 11 seniors were recognized, Paris Peoples stood out among that group with a career best 51.62 to claim a victory in the 400m. The time improved Paris standing at No. 9 on the UA all-time list as she bettered her previous best of 51.67 from the 2021 season.

Following behind Peoples in third place was Ashanti Denton, setting an outdoor PR of 52.87.

“Paris had a great breakthrough effort,” stated Harter. “That was really nice to see and be able to do it in front of her mom, who flew in at the last minute to surprise her.

“The mom’s reward was a lifetime best and a win. So, that was extra special for them.”

Amanda Fassold led a 2-3-4-5 finish in the pole vault for Arkansas, clearing 14-3.25 (4.35) to match the winning effort of Kenzie Shell, who claimed the win on fewer misses.

Kaitlyn Banas achieved a career best height of 14-1.25 (4.30) to place third while Mackenzie Hayward cleared a season best of 13-9.25 (4.20) in fourth with Marin Chamberlin fifth at 13-3.5 (4.05).

The Razorbacks head into the conference meet ranked 1-3-4-8-11 in the pole vault.

“Pole vault led the way, and the vault is going to prove to be one of our weapons in the SEC meet,” noted Harter. “So, that performance was reconfirmation that we have multiple scorers who can take care of business.”

Madison Langley-Walker, a senior transfer from Oklahoma, enjoyed a pair of superlatives in the hurdles. First, she utilized a 2.4 aiding wind as runner-up in the 100m hurdles with a 13.13 to set an all-conditions best behind a winning time of 13.09 for the Bahamas Gabrielle Gibson.

Langley-Walker has a wind-legal best of 13.21 as she bettered her previous windy best of 13.14 set earlier this season.

Racing in the 400m hurdles, Langley-Walker won in 56.74 to better her previous best of 57.39 set earlier this season. Her improved time moves her to No. 5 on the UA all-time list.

On the 2023 SEC list, Langley-Walker ranks No. 10 in the 100m hurdles and No. 6 in the 400m hurdles.

Career best times flowed in the 1,500m as Heidi Nielson claimed the victory in 4:18.63 over Arkansas alum Logan Jolly, runner-up in 4:19.17. Nielson’s time ranks No. 10 in the SEC this outdoor season.

Also setting a PR in placing 4-5-6 were Sydney Thorvaldson (4:19.67), Claire McCune (4:20.41), and Carmie Prinsloo (4:20.43).

“We had a chance of pace with our distance runners and ran the 1,500m,” noted Harter. “It was really nice to see four of them run under 4:21, all with lifetime bests. Carmie had a breakthrough race today as well.”

Arkansas alum Shafiqua Maloney broke the 800m meet record with a winning time of 2:02.97, which bettered the 2:05.71 set by Razorback Stephanie Brown in 2010.

A crew of Razorbacks in the 800m was led by Lainey Quandt (2:08.39) in fourth, Katie McCune (2:08.92) in sixth, Ainsley Erzen (2:09.21) in ninth, and Chachi Gonzales (2:10.80) placing 13th.

In the long jump, Tara Davis-Woodhall established a world-leading leap of 23-2.5 (7.07) with a 1.9 wind after hitting a pair of wind-aided 22-8 (6.91) on her first pair of attempts.

The effort also broke the meet and facility records held by Taliyah Brooks during her Razorback years in 2016 and 2018. The meet record of 20-11.75 (6.39) was set in 2016 while the facility record of 22-3 (6.78) was established in 2018.

Nickisha Pryce led a 1-2-3-4-5 finish in the first section of a 200m race assisted with a 3.2 wind. Pryce posted a time of 23.01 ahead of teammates Amber Anning (23.26), Aaliyah Pyatt (23.33), Tiana Wilson (23.68), and Daszay Freeman (24.08).

The second section of the 200m, with a 2.9 wind, had a 22.63 victory for Oklahoma’s Kennedy Blackmon. Arkansas alum Jada Baylark clocked 22.77 as runner-up with Razorback Ariane Linton third in 23.18 while MeKenze Kelley ran 23.64 in sixth place.

Earlier in the meet Baylark won the 100m in a wind-aided 11.22 (2.7 wind) with Linton runner-up in 11.44 and T. Wilson third at 11.53.

Next week the No. 3 Razorbacks travel to Baton Rouge for the SEC Championships, which will be held May 11-13.