Impressive Arkansas performances in Razorback Invitational
FAYETTEVILLE – Impressive Arkansas performances during the second day of the Razorback Invitational included a victory for Ernest Cheruiyot in the 3,000m at Randal Tyson Track Center on Saturday.
Cheruiyot cruised to a winning time of 7:43.66 in producing a career best. He now ranks No. 5 on the UA all-time list. Teammate Nick Busienei finished third in 7:49.54 behind Florida’s Kevlin Cheruiyot (7:47.45).
Jaleni Watkins continued his strong start to the season this weekend with two rounds of the 60m. Entering the meet with a career best of 6.61 from 2025, Watkins delivered a 6.62 in the prelims.
In the semifinal Watkins posted a PR of 6.60 to win his heat over a 6.60 for LSU’s Joshua Caleb as they were separated by 0.004 of a second (6.591 to 6.595). Watkins is equal No. 3 on the UA all-time list along with Jarrion Lawson.
Razorback Jamarion Stubbs claimed the first 60m semifinal in 6.63, which is equal No. 6 on the UA all-time list. He won his prelim heat in 6.66.
The 60m final was not contested.
Devyn Wright improved his career best in the 400m with a 45.83 as runner-up in his section to a 45.81 for Florida’s Justin Braun. Wright, who a previous indoor best of 46.99, is No. 8 on the UA all-time list as he placed sixth overall.
Zaire Nuriddin finished third in the first section of the 400m in 47.60. Canada’s Christopher Morales-Williams won the race in 44.97 to break the meet record of 45.09 set by Razorback Chris Bailey in 2023.
In the 60m hurdles, professional Trey Cunningham improved his world-leading time of 7.48 twice. He posted a 7.47 in the prelims and then delivered a 7.42 in the final. Razorbacks Jerome Campbell and Vashaun Vascianna placed third and fourth with times of 7.57 and 7.63. Campbell moved to No. 4 on the UA all-time list.
Karamoko Sacko generated a career best of 7.59 in the 60m hurdles semifinal and ranks No. 5 on the UA all-time list. Vascianna bettered the previous meet record of 7.60 set by Cunningham in 2023 with a 7.58 in the prelims.
Brian Masai delivered a sub-4 mile with a 3:58.82 as runner-up the second section behind a 3:57.75 for Oregon’s Benjamin Balazs. Masai placed 12th overall.
The first section of the mile was claimed in 3:52.73 by Michigan’s Trent McFarland as he just missed the meet record of 3:52.66 set in 2025 by Oklahoma State’s Fouad Messaoudi. The field of nine milers all came through under 3:56.
Abraham Johnson had a career best in the triple jump as he finished fourth with a mark of 53-6.5 (16.32). With a winning distance of 53-9.25 (16.39) Zavien Wolfe of Illinois won a tightly contested event by a quarter of an inch over Texas Tech’s Jonathan Seremes while Kentucky’s Theo Mudzengerere placed third at 53-8.5 (16.37).
Oregon’s Peyton Bair, the defending NCAA Indoor heptathlon champion, set a world-leading score of 6,371 points to break the meet record of 6,272 set by Razorback Ayden Owens-Delerme in 2022.
Arkansas did not race in the 4 x 400m relay due to a recent flu bug that affected members of the team.
