Photo by: Robert Black

Ellis-Watson Races to Top of the World List

SEC Network Highlights
Razorback Invitational Results

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Seven-time All-American Taylor Ellis-Watson had an outstanding day for the Razorbacks winning the 400-meter dash in an NCAA and world-leading time of 52.26. The Philadelphia native’s 400-meter victory paced the No. 1 Arkansas women’s track and field team to a first place team finish at the Razorback Invitational.

Arkansas entered day two with a 13.5 point lead over Georgia. The Razorbacks proceeded to increase the margin with Ellis-Watson’s victory in the 400-meter dash and top performances across the board.

All-American junior Daina Harper also had a great showing in the 400-meter dash running 53.71 to tie for the 11th best time in the NCAA this season.

Northwest Arkansas native Payton Stumbaugh continued her solid weekend with a top-five finish in the 60-meter hurdles. Stumbaugh was joined by fellow Arkansan Kelsey Herman who finished sixth in the event with a time of 8.47.

Junior Regan Ward had another strong showing for the second-consecutive week racing to a sixth place finish at 3,000 meters with a new personal best time of 9:27.05. Ward was one of two Razorbacks to score in the event as freshman Devin Clark collected one point towards the team total placing eighth in 9:29.53.

Arkansas collected 12 points in the middle distance events off the heels of Jessica Kamilos, Nikki Hiltz and Kailee Sawyer.

Kamilos and Hiltz finished third and seventh in the mile respectively while Sawyer clocked a new collegiate PR at 800 meters of 2:08.47 to finish in fifth place.

With the team title already secured the Razorbacks capped their outstanding weekend with a fourth-place finish in the 4×400-meter relay. A team of Monisa Dobbins, Harper, Stumbaugh and Ellis-Watson earned a spot in the top five with their time of 3:36.86.

Arkansas won the Razorback Invitational with a final score of 127.5.

A replay of the Razorback Invitational will be available on Sunday, Jan. 31 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on the SEC Network and from 8-10 p.m. on ESPN2

Arkansas will travel to College Station, Texas next weekend as Texas A&M hosts the Charlie Wilson Invitational on Feb. 5-6. The Razorbacks will look to collect more NCAA top 10 performances as they move closer towards championship season.

2016 Razorback Invitational Day 2 Results
Randal Tyson Track Center
Fayetteville, Ark.

60 Meters Prelims
Kiara Parker (14) – 7.56
Kaylee McCarthy (33) – 8.15

400 Meters
Monisa Dobbins (3) – 54.72

400 Meters Invitational
Taylor Ellis-Watson (1) – 52.26
Daina Harper (4) – 53.71

800 Meters
Annika Sisson (8) – 2:13.04
Ceara Watson (9) – 2:13.17
Therese Haiss (12) – 2:13.82

800 Meters Invitational
Kailee Sawyer (5) – 2:08.47

Mile Invitational
Jessica Kamilos (3) – 4:39.70
Nikki Hiltz (7) – 4:47.66

3,000 Meters
Sydney Brown (6) – 10:01.31
Aubree Worden (7) – 10:03.57
Kelsey Schrader (8) – 10:11.07

3,000 Meter Invitational
Regan Ward (6) – 9:27.05
Devin Clark (8) – 9:29.53
Valerie Reina (10) – 9:32.89

60 Meter Hurdles Prelims
Payton Stumbaugh (3) – 8.28q
Kelsey Herman (6) – 8.38q
Alex Gochenour (9) – 8.55
Jaela Williams (17) – 8.89
Taliyah Brooks (20) – 9.80

60 Meter Hurdles Finals
Payton Stumbaugh (5) – 8.24
Kelsey Herman (6) – 8.47

4×400 Meter Relay
Arkansas A (4) – 3:36.86
Monisa Dobbins, Daina Harper, Payton Stumbaugh, Taylor Ellis Watson

Shot Put
Micah Dennis (13) – 12.69m/41-7.75

Team Totals
1. Arkansas – 127.5
2. Oregon – 102
3. Georgia – 76
4. Florida – 70
5. Oklahoma State – 57
6. LSU – 50
7. Iowa State – 44
8. Oklahoma – 34
9. Texas A&M – 28.5
10. Florida State – 28
11. Iowa – 16
12. UCLA – 15

For more information on Arkansas track and field including in-meet updates, follow @RazorbackTF on Twitter.