Alums claim pair of victories in John McDonnell Invitational
FAYETTEVILLE – A pair of Arkansas alums – Marqueze Washington and Laquan Nairn – registered victories at the John McDonnell Invitational on Friday while runner-up efforts were turned in by current Razorbacks Ayden Owens and Christian Matamoros.
Washington won the 100m in 10.28 (1.1 wind) while Razorback freshman Connor Washington finished second in that section at 10.52 and was third overall as Missouri’s Jayson Ashford won another section in 10.51 to claim second overall.
Nairn had a wind-aided leap of 26-7.75 (8.12), which currently ranks him ninth on the 2022 world list under all-conditions.
In the 4×400, Arkansas ran 3:09.79 as runner-up to Pittsburg State’s 3:09.50 with a foursome that included James Benson II (48.1), James Milholen (46.6), Phillip Anderson (47.48), and Ethan Carney (47.58).
A runner-up performance was turned in by Matamoros with a 6-8.75 (2.05) clearance in the high jump as Mayson Conner of Nebraska made 6-9.75 (2.08) for the win.
In preparation for a decathlon next week at Mt. SAC Relays, Ayden Owens posted a time of 13.82 as runner-up in the 110m hurdles (0.4 wind) behind a 13.59 effort from Nebraska’s Darius Luff.
Razorback hurdlers claimed six of the top 10 spots, which included a trio of decathletes. Matthew Lewis-Banks finished third overall in 14.03 while Daniel Spejcher set a career best of 14.31 in fifth place.
They were followed by Shaka Bogan (14.32) in sixth, Blanchard Montgomery IV (14.58) in eighth place, and Noah Swaby in 10th with a 14.78 into a -0.6 wind. Montgomery later raced in the 400m hurdles, placing fourth with a 53.40.
Decathletes Owens, Swaby, and Spejcher also contested the discus. Owens threw a career best of 145-10 (44.45) while Swaby followed with a 143-6 (43.75) and Spejcher threw 141-0 (42.99).
In the 800m, Elias Schreml placed fourth in 1:52.03, improving his previous best of 1:52.06, while Andrew Kibet finished fifth in 1:52.89. Razorback redshirt Lexington Hilton claimed the 1,500m title in 3:49.88 over a 3:50.52 by Oklahoma State’s Chris Middleton-Pearson. Carter Persyn clocked 3:55.41 in sixth place.
Over 200m, Brandon Battle led the Arkansas contingent in placing fifth with a 21.73 (0.0 wind) while Roman Turner finished seventh overall with a 21.86.
Razorback redshirt TJ Tomlyanovich placed fourth in the 400m with a 48.00 while middle distance Hogs placed 5-6-7. Leroy Russell led that trio with a 48.50 and was followed by Kieran Taylor (48.86) and Jadon Bartholomew (48.93).
BYU’s Zach McWhorter, twice a silver medalist at the NCAA Indoor, cleared 18-2.5 (5.55) to claim the pole vault. Razorback Rhett Nelson finished fifth clearing 15-11 (4.85).
