No. 13 Razorbacks prepared to battle for SEC Outdoor title
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Reaching its third championship season of 2020-21, the No. 13 Arkansas Razorbacks have an opportunity to complete a sweep of all three SEC titles for the first time since 2015-2016 when they compete in the SEC Outdoor Championships, hosted by Texas A&M, this Thursday through Saturday, May 13-15.
Having claimed SEC cross country and indoor team titles this season, the Razorbacks can achieve a 16th SEC triple crown with a conference championship this weekend, which would be the 20th SEC Outdoor title in the program’s history.
“The league is very balanced and the top five teams are really, really good,” said Arkansas men’s head coach Chris Bucknam. “It’s going to be a battle.
“I think LSU is in the driver’s seat on the men’s side. They have a phenomenal team, maybe one of the best they’ve ever had. They’re coming off a SEC Outdoor championship from 2019, the last time we had an outdoor championship.”
Texas A&M serves as an outdoor conference host for the first time since 2001 when they held the Big 12 Championships on the Frank G. Anderson Track Complex. Cushing Stadium will also serve as host for the NCAA West Preliminary round this season.
Coverage of the SEC Championships will be streamed on SEC Network + during Thursday (5:40 to 9:45 p.m. CT) and Friday (4:35 to 9:45 p.m. CT). Saturday’s finals will air on the SEC Network (5 to 9 p.m. CT). Live results are available (https://flashresults.com/2021_Meets/Outdoor/05-13_SEC/).
Arkansas men and women have previously swept SEC titles in cross country (2015) and indoor track (2020) in College Station, and this weekend marks the Razorbacks’ first opportunity in outdoor track and field.
Eight SEC schools are among the top 20 in the national rankings heading into the conference weekend with LSU in the No. 1 position followed by No. 8 Florida, No. 10 Texas A&M, No. 11 Alabama, No. 13 Arkansas, No. 14 Tennessee, No. 16 Georgia, and No. 18 Kentucky.
Meanwhile, conference rankings have Arkansas at No. 1, followed by LSU, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Florida among the top eight.
“The slate is clean right now, and all the regular season and time trialing is over,” noted Bucknam. “Now it’s championship track and field, and that means pressure, rounds, and three-days of competition.
“I think LSU is the team to beat, but I think we have a shot at winning the meet. Alabama is knocking on the door along with Florida and a couple of other schools.”
Among national leading marks heading into conference weekend, the SEC leads nine events with LSU supplying six of those marks.
Conference leaders among the Razorbacks include Luke Meade in the 5,000m (13:34.70) with Amon Kemboi second (13:35.22). In the 10,000m, Matt Young ranks second (28:41.94) as does Andrew Kibet in the 3,000m steeplechase (8:53.12). Arkansas ranks second and third in the decathlon with Markus Ballengee (7,895) and Daniel Spejcher (7,707).
Returning medalist from the 2019 SEC meet include Gilbert Boit, winner of the 5,000m title and runner-up in the 10,000m, while Matt Young placed third in the 10k and fourth in the 5k. Arkansas relays were third in the 4×100 and 4×400.
Razorbacks returning who scored in the 2019 SEC Outdoor meet include Kieran Taylor in the 800 (4th), Travean Caldwell in the 400 hurdles (8th), LaQuan Nairn in the long jump (7th) and triple jump (5th), as well as Spejcher in the decathlon (7th).
Finals on Thursday include the hammer and 10,000m for the Razorbacks along with prelim races and the start of the decathlon. Friday will have the conclusion of the decathlon, a running final in the 3,000m steeplechase along with a long jump final for Arkansas and more prelim races. Saturday will feature finals in 10 running events as well as the triple jump and pole vault.
