Four of five Razorbacks advance to finals

EUGENE – The opening day of the first World Athletics Championships held outdoors in the United States had four of five Razorbacks advancing from the qualifying rounds in the women’s pole vault, men’s long jump and men’s shot put on Friday evening at Hayward Field.

The newest Razorback among the group, Wayne Pinnock, advanced in the long jump with a leap of 26-2.25 (7.98) on his second attempt. That ranked the Jamaican long jump champion 10^th among the 12 who advanced to the final, which will be held at 6:20 p.m. (PT) on Saturday.

Arkansas alum LaQuan Nairn, representing the Bahamas, hit a mark of 25-7.25 (7.80) twice in his series of three jumps. That ranked him 18^th among the field of 32.

Leading the field into the final with a mark of 26-10 (8.18) was Yuki Hashioka of Japan with American Marquis Dendy runner-up at 26-9.25 (8.16). Defending world long jump champion Tajay Gayle of Jamaica registered three fouls.

Arkansas alums Sandi Morris and Tina Šutej advanced in the women’s pole vault that will have 15 vaulters in the Sunday final. Morris cleared 14-9 (4.50), her opening height, while Šutej cleared 14-3.25 (4.35) to advance after missing three attempts at 14-9.

Eleven of the 15 vaulters in the final cleared the 14-9 height, which included Tokyo Olympic champion Katie Nageotte and former world champion Katerini Stefanidi of Greece.

“It was kind of crazy, the conditions were very tricky with the swirling wind,” noted Šutej. “Our warm-up was also cut short because of some problem with the stands. So, we started jumping like ten minutes behind the other group and then they stopped us for the national anthem, and you know… It was just stressful, and my warm-up did not go as planned.

“My jumps were kind of bad. So, I learned that I need to jump better and be more confident, I should not be doubting myself even if the conditions are tricky. I have been jumping well in competitions and in practice, so it is all there. I need to show some good jumping in two days.”

Only one throw was need by Ryan Crouser to secure the top qualifying position in the shot put. His toss of 73-1.25 (22.28) topped the field by a commanding distance. Joe Kovacs followed with a one attempt effort of 70-6.5 (21.50) while Tom Walsh was third with a third attempt 70-4.25 (21.44).

Arkansas alum Dominique Scott will race in the first final involving a Razorback as she competes in the 10,000m final at 12:20 p.m. (PT) on Saturday. Scott will represent South Africa among a field of 20 that is heavy on African representation.

There are three entries each for Ethiopia and Kenya, along with two each from Eritrea and Uganda. Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey, the world record holder with a 29:01.03, is favored.

Saturday action also includes the first round of the 400m hurdles for Arkansas alum Kemar Mowatt, who represents Jamaica. Mowatt will run in lane 7 in the second of five prelim heats.

In the same heat with Mowatt is Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos, the current world leader in 2022 with a 46.80. Mowatt, with a season best of 48.53, has the second-best time among the seven hurdlers in his heat. The first four in each heat, plus the next four fastest times advance to the semifinal.

World Championships | Arkansas schedule (PT)

Saturday | July 16

Sunday | July 17