Alum Laquan Nairn claims Mt. SAC Relays long jump title on last leap
WALNUT, California – Arkansas alum Laquan Nairn, representing the Bahamas in the USATF Golden Games as part of the Mt. SAC Relays on Saturday, claimed the long jump title with a last round leap of 26 feet, 11.75 inches (8.22) with a legal wind reading of 2.0 mps.
The late round theatrics enabled Nairn to surpass the leading mark of 26-10 (8.18) set by Will Williams, who produced his best distance on a final attempt to take over the from Nairn.
Nairn’s career best mark ranks third in the world for the 2022 outdoor season. It also ranks second on the Bahamian all-time list, trailing only the national record of 27-7.25 (8.41) set by Craig Hepburn in 1993. Nairn’s previous outdoor best measured 26-4.5 (8.04). Indoors, he holds the national record with a 26-10 (8.18) set this year in Fayetteville.
Also in the competition for the Razorbacks were John Baker and Ryan Brown. Baker placed seventh with a distance of 24-11.25 (7.60), while Brown had three fouls.
The series for Nairn included foul, 25-6.75 (7.78), 26-9.75 (8.17), foul, 26-1.75 (7.97), and 26-11.75 (8.22). All the marks were wind-legal, thus creating a then career best with his third-round leap.
Williams countered with a series that included 25-11.5 (7.91), 26-6.5 (8.09), 26-7.75w (8.12), foul, foul, 26-10w (8.18).
The Razorbacks raced in a pair of relays on the final day of the Mt. SAC Relays, placing fourth in the 4 x 100 and eighth in the 4 x 400.
Arkansas produced a time of 40.14 in the short relay with a foursome of Roman Turner, Phillip Lemonious, Connor Washington, and Tre’Bien Gilbert. A USATF all-star team won in 38.72 with Oregon runner-up at 39.08 while Arizona State finished third with a 39.79.
In the 4×400, the Razorbacks were eighth overall in 3:08.56, after placing sixth in their section, running with a quartet of Washington, James Milholen, Battle (46.83), and Phillip Anderson (47.43).
A relay group that included Marqueze Washington on first leg and Hunter Woodhall on anchor (47.67) placed fifth in 3:07.74.
Other Arkansas alums competing on Saturday included M. Washington posting a time of 20.59 in the 200m final from lane 2, and Erich Sullins placing 11th in the hammer with a toss of 230-5 (70.23). Jarrion Lawson ran 10.21w (3.1) in the 100m prelims. Andrew Erwin had a no height in the pole vault, attempting 18-0.5 (5.50).
