Morris sweeps national, SEC weekly awards

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – On the heels of her record-breaking performance at the John McDonnell Invitational, Sandi Morris has been named the USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week and SEC Field Athlete of the Week. With her clearance of 4.62m/15-1.75, Morris put her name atop the all-time collegiate performance list for the second time this season; she also held the indoor NCAA record for a time in January.

Tuesday’s announcement marks the second national honor of the season for Morris who was previous recognized by the organization Feb. 3 after clearing 15-3 at the Tyson Invitational. She is also receiving her third SEC weekly selection of the season, earning a pair of awards during the indoor season.

Morris eclipsed the previous mark of 4.61m/15-1.5 held by former Arkansas standout Tina Sutej and becomes just the fourth woman in NCAA history to clear 15 feet outdoors. She is the first to do so since Sutej established the record at the 2011 SEC Outdoor Championships in Athens, Ga. Morris won the John McDonnell with her clearance at 14-8.25 before going on to set the NCAA record.

Dating back to the indoor season, the Greenville, S.C., native has won seven-consecutive competitions including all three meets during the outdoor campaign. Morris now owns the nation’s top-two clearances of the outdoor season, coupled with her 14-11 performance at the season-opening Texas Relays.

In their last outing, the Razorback women collected eight first-place performances including Morris’ victory. The list of wins also includes Regine Williams at 100 meters, Taylor Ellis-Watson at 200 and 400 meters, Taliyah Brooks in the 100-meter hurdles, Sparkle McKnight in the 400-meter hurdles and 4×100- and 4×400-meter relays. Arkansas is ranked No. 4 in this week’s USTFCCCA national poll.

The season continues this weekend with the middle-distance and distance crews heading to Walnut, Calif., for the Mt. SAC Relays which begin Thursday. After a pair of weekends on the road up next on the schedule, the Razorbacks return to their home track May 1 for the Arkansas Twilight.

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