Mackenzie Hayward wins Texas Relays pole vault

AUSTIN – A victory for Razorback Mackenzie Hayward in the University division of the pole vault highlighted Thursday action for Arkansas at the 95th Texas Relays at Mike A. Myers Stadium as teammate Bailee McCorkle finished fourth in the competition.

A winning height of 13-7.25 (4.15) by Mackenzie in windy conditions eliminated five vaulters from the starting field of 17 leaving only two vaulters remaining. Mackenzie and South Dakota’s Jaidyn Garrett both missed at the next height of 13-11.25 (4.25).

When Mackenzie cleared 13-7.25 on her second attempt, while Garrett needed three attempts, that determined the finishing order between the pair.

McCorkle was one of five vaulters to make 13-1.5 (4.00) and she placed fourth based on clearing that height on her first attempt. This height eliminated six vaulters in the field.

This is the second consecutive year for Mackenzie to clear 13-7.25 at the Texas Relays, having finished sixth a year ago. Previously, she placed ninth in 2021 with a clearance of 13-7.75 (4.16).

Last season Mackenzie tied for first place in the Pacific Coast meet hosted by Long Beach State with a season best of 13-9.25 (4.20). Her career best of 14-0.75 (4.29) earned her fifth place at the 2021 SEC Championships.

Previous Razorback vaulters who claimed a Texas Relays victory include Katie Stripling (2010), Tina Šutej (2011, 2012), and Sandi Morris (2015).

The Invitational division of the women’s pole vault on Saturday will include Razorbacks Amanda Fassold and Kaitlyn Banas.

Prelims of the 400m hurdles had Madison Langley-Walker posting a time of 58.20 to place third in the first of five heats. That time ranks No. 8 on the UA all-time list. Langley-Walker was 10th overall among the field of 40 hurdlers.

Britton Wilson, the defending Texas Relays champion and meet record holder, did not start in the 400m hurdles. She will focus on relay events this weekend.

Macy Owens generated a score of 4,572 points to place 17th in the heptathlon, improving her previous best of 4,362 from 2018.

On Friday, Mackenzie, McCorkle and Marin Chamberlin are scheduled to pole vault in the A division at the Texas State Bobcat Invite in San Marcos, Texas.

Racing in the A division of the 800m in the Bobcat meet are the Arkansas foursome of Analisse Batista, Ainsley Erzen, Chachi Gonzales, and Lainey Quandt. All four are in the fourth of four sections.