Peter Maru breaks 20-year-old SEC Indoor record to claim title

FAYETTEVILLE – Razorback freshman Peter Maru continues to impress with each race he competes in Arkansas gear. Winning the 5,000m title at the SEC Indoor Championships in 13 minutes, 31.11 seconds he broke a 20-year-old meet record of 13:42.95 set by Razorback Alistair Cragg in 2004.

Wayne Pinnock claimed another SEC long jump title, his fourth overall with a pair of indoor and a pair of outdoor titles. His winning leap measured 27-2 (8.28) and came in the third round of four attempts he took.

Men’s team scores through five of 17 finals have the Razorbacks leading with 44 points followed by Florida and Ole Miss with 23 points each.

A bulk of Arkansas points were scored in the 5,000m as the Razorbacks finished 1-3-4 for 21 points. Maru led the trio as Kirami Yego clocked 13:33.12 for third and Patrick Kiprop finished fourth in 13:34.11, both also bettering the previous meet record.

Pinnock’s series went foul, 27-1.25 (8.26), 27-2 (8.28), 26-11.75 (8.22), and then he passed the last two rounds. Multi-eventer Jack Turner added a pair of Razorback points in placing seventh with a mark of 24-11.75 (7.61).

Florida responded with 19 points off a 2-3-4 finish in the long jump as Malcolm Clemons led the Gator trio with a 26-11.75 (8.22) effort.

In the distance medley relay the Razorbacks earned a bronze medal in a time of 9:38.43 with a foursome of Reuben Reina (3:01.16), William Spencer (46.81), Elias Schreml (1:49.94), and Ben Shearer (4:00.53).

Another Razorback freshman added five team points in the pole vault as John Scott Kendricks finished fourth with a clearance of 17-2.75 (5.25).

The first day of the heptathlon has set up Arkansas for big points once again as the Razorback crew currently occupies places 1-2-3-4. Marcus Weaver leads the squad with 3,295 points followed by Yariel Soto Torrado (3,266), Gabriel Emmanuel (3,239), and Daniel Spejcher (3,230).

Each Razorback claimed an event on the day. Emmanuel led the 60m with a 6.96 while Soto Torrado posted the best long jump at 24-4.5 (7.43). Weaver and Spejcher led the shot put with career best marks of 51-3 (15.62) and 51-1.5 (15.58). Then in the high jump, Weaver and Emmanuel each cleared 6-9.5 (2.07).

In qualifying events Arkansas advanced three in the 60m hurdles from the trio of Brevin Sims (7.79), Tai Brown (7.82) and William Spencer (7.87).

Jordan Anthony posted the third fastest time in 60m qualifying to win his heat with a 6.61. Lance Lang just missed advancing with a 6.69 as the final time qualifier was 6.67.

Lang rallied in the 200m where his 20.49 won a prelim section and was second best behind a 20.42 for Florida’s Wayna McCoy.

Riley Wells advanced in the 800m with a 1:49.01 and Steven McElroy moved into the final with a 46.23 in the 400m. In the mile the tandem of Shearer (4:04.15) and Reina (4:04.56) advanced.