Prentice sets record in the heptathlon

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – On day two of the Razorback Invitational, sophomore Terry Prentice set the Arkansas school record in the seven-event heptathlon for No. 5 Arkansas Razorback track and field at the Randal Tyson Track Center on Saturday.

"Another solid day of competition for us," head coach Chris Bucknam said. "Terry Prentice finished strong in the heptathlon and set the school record for us. Drew Butler had a great race in the 800 meters and Caleb Cross had another personal best on the 60-meter hurdles. We got some important provisional qualifiers this weekend and had some good efforts. We still have work to do and next weekend’s meet at Texas A&M is another stepping stone."

Prentice set the Arkansas school record in the heptathlon and finished third with 5,350 points. His score is a personal best, an NCAA provisional qualifier and ranks No. 3 in the NCAA and No. 3 in the SEC.

"I’m excited to get the NCAA mark and the school record," Prentice said. "I had personal bests in the high jump, pole vault and the 1,000 meters so I definitely can’t complain about that. Having a school record at Arkansas is an honor because our history is so deep. I have some more work to do and I know I can improve in some areas. We have quality coaches to work with so I know my marks will improve and the school record will improve."

Prentice closed with a time of 8.44 in the 60-meter hurdles, a clearance of 13-11.25 in the pole vault and a time of 2:45.89 in the 1,000 meters. During the two-day event, he recorded personal bests in the high jump (6-6.25), the pole vault and the 1,000 meters.

Also in the heptathlon, freshman Matt Kirbos finished tied for fourth with 5,042 points. His total is a personal best, ranks No. 4 in the SEC and is the No. 3 mark in school history. He closed with a time of 8.68 in the 60-meter hurdles, a clearance of 14-11 in the pole vault and a time of 2:57.93 in the 1,000 meters.

Freshman Drew Butler finished second in the championship heat of the 800 meters. He clocked a personal-best and NCAA provisional-qualifying time of 1:50.15. His time ranks No. 4 in the NCAA and No. 1 in the SEC. He has the top time by a freshman in the NCAA in 2010.

"This is a small rung on a big ladder," Butler said. "It’s a good feeling to get a personal best and a provisional qualifier. I was nervous and calm at the same time. Collegiate racing is a lot more competitive and a lot more physical than I am used to. We still have SECs and NCAAs to prepare for and I’m still looking for the auto qualifier. I have a lot to work on but this is a bug hurdle to get over."

Freshman Caleb Cross finished third in the finals of the 60-meter hurdles. He clocked a season- and personal-best time of 7.93. His time ranks No. 3 in the SEC and first among SEC freshmen. His time is also the No. 4 mark in Arkansas school history. He advanced to the finals after finishing sixth in the prelims with a then-best of 8.01. Sophomore Andrew Pennington finished 12th in the prelims (8.40) and fourth in the consolation finals (8.32) of the 60-meter hurdles.

Also in the 800 meters, freshman Dylan Roberts was ninth (1:53.62, personal best), freshman Omar Abdi was 10th (1:53.75), freshman Rob Redwine finished 11th (1:53.83) and freshman Scott Gillespie was 15th (1:55.42).

In the 400 meters, freshman Hunter Bourke finished 22nd (48.97), junior Chris Bilbrew finished 28th (49.35) and freshman Alex Kelly finished 31st (49.73). In the 60 meters, junior LaShawn Butler finished 17th (6.97) and sophomore R.J. Evans finished 35th (7.28).

The Razorbacks will compete next at the Texas A&M Challenge, Jan. 29-30, in College Station, Texas. For continued coverage of Razorback track and field, log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Download: RazorbackInviteCompiledResults.pdf