Forrest Jones earn SEC awards

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Senior Shawn Forrest and freshman Whitney Jones earned weekly honors from the Southeastern Conference, it was announced on Tuesday. Tuesday’s honors mark the first awards given out by the conference for the 2009 outdoor season.

Forrest was named the league’s runner of the week. A native of Melbourne, Australia, Forrest won the top section of the 5,000 meters with a time of 13:28.81 at the Stanford Invitational. His time currently leads the NCAA by nearly 20 seconds and the SEC by 22 seconds.

Forrest was also well under the regional-qualifying time of 14:12 and also clocked a personal best by nearly 18 seconds. His time currently ranks No. 4 in the world in 2009 and ranks No. 7 on Arkansas’ all-time 5,000-meter list.

Jones was named the conference’s freshman of the week. A native of Searcy, Ark., Jones won the long jump at the UC Irvine Spring Break Classic in her first career outdoor meet. Her best jump of the day measured 19-8.75 and is a regional qualifier. She currently leads the SEC and ranks 11th nationally in the event.

The Razorback men’s track and field team will compete next at the Texas Relays, April 1-4, 2009. The Razorback women’s track and field team will compete next at the Florida Relays, April 3-4, 2009. For more information, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.