Razorback trio advance to Eugene from NCAA West

COLLEGE STATION – Arkansas advanced three Razorbacks to Eugene during NCAA West First Round on Thursday with Paityn Noe and Sydney Thorvaldson in the 10,000m along with Funminiyi Olajide in the long jump.

Arkansas also advanced 13 entries to Saturday quarterfinal races in four events, which includes an impressive eight entries in the 400m.

Noe produced a time of 33:56.89 to place fourth in the 10,000m as Thorvaldson ran 34:16.03 for ninth place to secure their trip to Eugene. Thorvaldson finished seventh in the NCAA final a year ago while Noe placed ninth.

Funminiyi occupied second place after the first two flights of the long jump with a mark of 20-10.5 (6.36) and it held onto 12th place once the next pair of flights were completed to earn the last position advancing to Eugene by half an inch.

Simone Ballard registered a career best of 13.14 in the 100m hurdles, placing second in her heat and seventh overall. Shania Myers advanced on time with a 13.34. In the 100m, Shawnti Jackson finished second in her heat with a wind-aided 11.05 (2.2 wind) and had the fourth best time overall.

Rosey Effiong led the Razorback crew in the 400m, winning her heat in 50.90 to produce the second best time overall behind a 50.79 by USC’s Yemi John.

Joanne Reid (51.31) and Aaliyah Pyatt (51.47) generated the sixth and seventh best times while Kaylyn Brown won her heat in 51.73, which ranked 10th best. The next four Arkansas sprinters to advance to the quarterfinal included Sanaria Butler (52.04), Kayla Davis (52.40), Amirah Sharpe (52.50), and Ashanti Denton (52.82). Arianne Sharpe (53.45) was 30th overall with 52.99 the last time qualifier.

In the 800m, Sanu Jallow-Lockhart won her heat in 2:03.46, which was second best overall to a 2:03.31 by Iowa State’s Makayla Clark. Ainsley Erzen advanced on time with a 2:06.01 for fourth in her heat and 22nd overall. Anna Podojil (2:10.79) did not advance.

Rachel Homoly tied for 25th in the pole vault, clearing 13-8.25 (4.17) and missing at 14-2 (4.32). After a strong start in the 400m hurdles, Saira Prince clipped the third hurdle and fell to the track. She finished in 1:01.83.