Lauren Martinez, Tiana Wilson register pair of top 10 victories

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The first day of the John McDonnell Invitational, with 867 fans in attendance, included a pair of Razorback victories for Tiana Wilson in the 200m and Lauren Martinez in the pole vault as each moved into the UA all-time top 10 with their respective performances.

Wilson sped to a career best of 23.24 (wind +0.9) in the 200m ahead of teammate Yoveinny Mota, who clocked a career best of 23.42 as runner-up. Wilson moves to No. 8 on the Arkansas all-time list. The Razorbacks also finished third and fourth with Jayla Hollis in 23.94 while Morgan Burks-Magee posted a 24.03.

Martinez and Nastassja Campbell had their second 1-2 finish in the pole vault this outdoor season as both cleared 14-4 ¾ (4.39). Martinez registered her third consecutive victory, and she set a career best vault by a quarter of an inch, moving to No. 7 on the UA all-time list.

Arkansas also placed fourth and sixth with Kaitlyn Banas setting a pair of PRs when she cleared 13-5 (4.09) and 13-9 (4.19) while Mackenzie Hayward cleared 13-5. Banas cleared five bars on first attempts, including 13-5, and then made 13-9 on her third attempt.

Katie Izzo led a 2-3-4 finish in the 1,500m as she posted a time of 4:19.16 behind the winning 4:15.75 by Alabama’s Esther Gitahi. Teammates Isabel Van Camp (4:20.52) and Gracie Hyde (4:21.73) followed Izzo. Meghan Underwood (4:28.90) and Maddy Reed (4:35.11) finished eighth and ninth.

In her first steeplechase as a Razorback, Logan Morris finished third in 10:07.80, which moves her to No. 8 on the UA all-time list. Morris has a best of 10:07.13 from 2018 when she claimed a silver medal in the ACC Championships while at Clemson.

Wichita State’s Rebekah Topham set a meet record in the steeplechase with a 9:58.39 victory, eclipsing the 10:22.14 set by Jessica Kamilos of Arkansas in 2013.

Arkansas alum Sparkle McKnight won the 400m hurdles in a meet record of 57.49 seconds, bettering the mark of 57.64 set in 2016 by Erica Twiss.

Other Razorback alums in action this weekend included Sandi Morris claiming a fifth pole vault title at the Drake Relays with a clearance of 15-5 (4.70). In Oregon, Taliyah Brooks (12.83) and Payton Chadwick (12.95) finished third and fifth in the 100m hurdles. Nikki Hiltz placed fifth in the 1,500m with a 4:05.84. Kiara Parker ran 11.33w in the prelims of the 100m.