Razorback seniors shine in Arkansas Twilight
FAYETTEVILLE – On a day in which the Razorback seniors were recognized at the Arkansas Twilight on Friday, quite a few of the 25 individuals honored produced some of the top performances at John McDonnell Field.
“We finally had some decent weather, and that really makes a big difference,” stated Arkansas men’s head coach Chris Bucknam. “Especially this time of the year. So, we had some favorable wins, and they were a little gusty at times for some of those events, but they were all under 4.0 mps.
“That means they are all national qualifying times. So, overall it was a good day for us, considering that we are on the footstep of finals and the conference meet next week.:
In the sprints, Connor Washington and Lance Lang finished 1-2 in the 100m. Washington sped to a 10.06w (3.1 wind) win in the 100m with Lang runner-up at 10.15 while Arkansas alum Marqueze Washington finished third in 10.20.
Washington’s time is equal No. 7 among collegians this season under all-conditions.
Then in the 200m, it was James Benson II and Washington claiming the top two positions. Benson posted a windy 20.46 (3.7 wind) with Washington runner-up in 20.67.
Brevin Sims supplied a surprise victory in the 110m hurdles at 13.74w (3.5 wind) over teammates Tai Brown (13.77), who competed unattached, along with Tre’Bien Gilbert (13.77), Matthew Lewis-Banks (13.82), and Ayden Owens-Delerme (14.01).
Devontie Archer won the 400m hurdles in 51.41 as Sims finished second in 52.83.
A career best of 1:48.85 earned Ricardo Banks a victory in the 800m with Ethan Carney also setting a PR of 1:50.13 in fourth place as Jadon Bartholomew finished seventh in 1:53.85.
Leroy Russell III paced the event, splitting 50.72 at 400m and taking the field through 600m. Banks now ranks No. 12 in the SEC while Russell is No. 7 from his 1:48.39 effort at Mt. SAC Relays.
“That was a great performance for Ricardo, and he probably just made our conference squad,” noted Bucknam. “It’s great to see him have a PR. It was senior day, and parents were here. He’s a great kid, and an unbelievable hard worker. He put down a legitimately good time and won the race. That was outstanding.
“He had a good rabbit in the race from teammate Leroy Russell, who did a good pacing job. He set that race up really good.”
In the 4 x 100m relay, the Razorback foursome of Lang, Washington, Phillip Lemonious, and Benson won in 39.99.
John Baker equaled his career best in winning the long jump with a mark of 25-2.75 (7.69) with Link Lindsey placing third with a PR of 23-10.25 (7.27).
Brandon Battle clocked 46.99 as runner-up in the 400m with Jeremy Farr third in 47.07. TJ Tomlyvanich set a career best of 47.62 while teammate Phillip Anderson won another section of the 400m in 47.64. Alum Hunter Woodhall ran 48.38.
Tommy Romanow lowered his best time over 1,500m by four seconds in running 3:46.24 to place sixth.
The decathlon crew finished 5-6-7-8 in the shot put. Daniel Spejcher led the group with a 48-11 (14.91) mark as Marcus Weaver had career best mark of 47-8 (14.53). Noah Swaby and Yariel Soto Torrado followed with marks of 45-3.75 (13.81) and 45-2.5 (13.78).
Next week the No. 2 Razorbacks travel to Baton Rouge for the SEC Championships, which will be held May 11-13.
