Disappointing Outing for Track Hogs at Arkansas Twilight

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In final preparations for the SEC Championships next week, the Razorbacks hosted the Arkansas Twilight on Friday at the newly renovated John McDonnell Field. What was expected to be a solid tune up turned into a dismal affair.

“It was not a good night,” head coach John McDonnell said. “It’s not exactly what we thought we should have a week before the conference meet. I’m hoping it’s because some of them didn’t want to put in too much effort before the conference meet. It was a little windy and then it got a little chilly. We got behind in schedule somehow. From top to bottom, it wasn’t a good meet.”

Kyle Komarek bettered his personal and season best with a toss of 211-2 and a second-place finish in the javelin. The throw is Komarek’s second regional-qualifying mark.

Alain Bailey added to his regional-qualifying list with a third-place finish in the long jump. His mark of 24-7 is his fourth qualifying mark in the event. He has also regionally qualified in the high jump.

“The jumpers looked good but they kept fouling,” McDonnell said. “They were behind the board and technically they weren’t sound at all.”

J-Mee Samuels won the 200 meters with a time of 20.92. While it is not a season best, it is his second regional-qualifying mark in the event. Samuels has also regionally qualified in the 100 meters. He currently sits at No. 3 in the 100 meters and No. 6 in the 200 meters on the national performance list.

“J-Mee looked good,” McDonnell said. “It wasn’t lightning fast but he won. Winning is what matters. The guys who were out here competing were competing for a reason. It’s because they felt good and thought they could compete well. Everything we did tonight, we need to leave it here and get ready for conference.”

Arkansas will battle for its 82nd conference title next weekend at the SEC Championships. The event will take place in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on the campus of the University of Alabama, May 10-13. For complete details, visit www.rolltide.com.