McLeod, 4x100m Win #DrakeRelays Titles

DES MOINES, Iowa – The No. 7 University of Arkansas men’s track and field team added two Drake Relays titles to its weekend collection including a record-breaking performance by Omar McLeod in the 110-meter hurdles. In addition to the win in the hurdles event, the Razorbacks ran to victory in the 4×100-meter relay. McLeod rode the hurdles to a meet- and school-record time of 13.21 in Saturday’s final.

The team finished second in the Hy-Vee Cup standings which recognizes combined performance in the five scored relays. During the weekend, Arkansas won four Drake Relays titles coupled with Friday’s wins in the 4×200-meter relay and pole vault. The Razorbacks now have 15 Drake Relays titles in the program history, six of which have come over the last two years at the annual event. Four titles are the most during one Drake Relays by any Razorback team.

In winning the 110-meter hurdles, McLeod ran the No. 3 time in the world in 2015 and tied the fifth-fastest time run in collegiate history. He also put his name in a tie for seventh on the all-time collegiate performance list. McLeod broke the four-year-old meet record of 13.48 set by Terence Somerville from Cincinnati. The Razorback sophomore also surpassed the old school mark of 13.41 set by Kevin White in 1997.

McLeod returned to the track with teammates Kenzo Cotton, Jarrion Lawson and Marqueze Washington to win the 4×100-meter relay for the Razorbacks’ second title of the day. The quartet passed the baton around the track in a season-best time of 39.78, just a tick faster than Friday’s prelim effort. Cotton, Lawson, McLeod and Washington also teamed up for Friday’s win in the 4×200-meter relay.

Both of Saturday’s titles represented the first for Arkansas in those events. The Razorbacks have now won Drake Relays titles in eight events including a program-high four wins in the 4×1,600-meter relay. Seven of the 15 titles at Drake have come during the team’s last three visits (2012, 2014, 2015) to Des Moines.

106th Drake Relays, Day 2
Des Moines, Iowa | Drake Stadium

110m Hurdles
1. Omar McLeod – 13.21 (+1.7) [MR – previous: 13.48; SR – previous: 13.41; PR – previous: 13.44]

4x100m Relay
1. McLeod/Lawson/Cotton/Washington – 39.78 [SB]

Sprint-Medley Relay
12. Green/Riley/Stephen/Squella – 3:27.06

High Jump
15. Ken LeGassey – 2.03m/6-8
18. Alex Campbell – 1.98m/6-6

Triple Jump
19. Rubin Owen – 13.95m/45-9.25 (+1.8)

Shot Put
18. Devin Randall – 15.97m/52-4.75

Discus
4. Devin Randall – 51.95m/170-5

The Razorbacks’ next home meet is scheduled for May 1 with the Arkansas Twilight. For more information about tickets for home events, call 800-982-HOGS (4647), email raztk@uark.edu or visit the Razorback Ticket Center located just east of Baum Stadium.

Competing in the nation’s toughest conference, Arkansas is one of nine SEC teams in this week’s USTFCCCA national poll. All nine teams are within the top 18 spots including five inside the top 10. The 2015 SEC Outdoor Championships will be contested May 14-16 at Spencer Stadium/Maddox Track in Starkville, Miss.

For more information on Arkansas track and field including in-meet updates, follow @RazorbackTF on Twitter.