Men's track gets the job done in NYC

NEW YORK, N.Y. – No. 7 Arkansas Razorback men’s track and field completed competition at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational on Saturday at the Armory Track Center in New York City.

"We ran some off events this weekend but I think it paid off," head coach Chris Bucknam said. "Scott MacPherson, Patrick Russell and Lane Boyer picked up PRs in the mile. Dorian Ulrey and Drew Butler were successful in the 1,000 meters. Alain Bailey picked up a better long jump. This weekend was a good warm-up for us before next weekend’s Tyson Invitational. We also got some of our younger guys in some competitive races and that’s a big part of their progression."

Senior Scott MacPherson finished eighth in the championship mile. He clocked a personal-best time of 4:06.56. Sophomore Lane Boyer finished 11th in the same championship mile. He also clocked a personal best of 4:08.34. Junior Patrick Russell won the collegiate mile. He clocked a time of 4:07.17. His time is a season and personal best. Sophomore Eric Fernandez finished third with a time of 4:10.31.

Freshman Cobi Hamilton finished fourth in the prelims (21.46) and seventh in the finals (21.70) of the 200 meters. Junior LaShawn Butler was 25th in a time of 22.08 and freshman Chris Muncie finished 36th in 22.49.

In the collegiate heats of the 800 meters, freshman Leoman Momoh was third with a season-best time of 1:53.30. Freshman Dylan Roberts was 13th (1:55.39), freshman Rob Redwine was 20th (1:56.32) and freshman Scott Gillespie was 21st (1:56.36).

Freshman Brede Raa Ellingsen competed in the championships flight of the high jump. He finished second on misses. His height of 7-0.25 matches his season best and already-achieved NCAA provisional-qualifying mark.

Freshman Caleb Cross (48.87), junior Chris Bilbrew (47.88), sophomore Ben Skidmore (48.44) and freshman Chris Muncie (49.20) finished sxith as Arkansas’ 4×400-meter relay team. The quartet combined for a time of 3:14.94.

Sophomore Rick Elliott and freshmen Dylan Roberts, Omar Abdi and Rob Redwine competed in the 4×800-meter relay. The quartet clocked a time of 7:46.81 and finished seventh in the race. Junior Michael Chinchar competed in the championship sections of the 800 meters. He finished 13th overall with a time of 1:53.13.

The Razorbacks will compete next when they host the Tyson Invitational, Fri.-Sat., Feb. 12-13, at the Randal Tyson Track Center. For continued coverage of Razorback track and field, log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.