Razorbacks capture 28th SEC Indoor title, first for Doug Case as head coach

COLLEGE STATION – No. 1 Arkansas produced 113.2 points to capture its 28th SEC Indoor Championship and the first for new men’s head coach Doug Case.

The Razorbacks totaled 11 medals in the meet, which included four gold, four silver, and three bronze. Gold medalists on the final day of the conference meet included Jelani Watkins in the 200m, Brian Masia in the 3,000m, and the 4 x 400m relay team.

“It was a great effort by the whole team, top to bottom, everybody went out and did what they had to do,” stated Arkansas men’s head coach Doug Case. “You see the outcome when you come together, put things together and it really turned out well for us.

“We just kept stacking points up throughout the day. You never know how these meets are going to go. So, we were fighting for every point in every event we were in. The guys did a great job.”

Finishing behind Arkansas in team scoring were Ole Miss (67), Texas A&M (66.2), Florida (58), Georgia (56), Tennessee (51.7), Alabama (42.4), Oklahoma (39.5), and Texas (35).

Watkins also added a silver medal in the 60m after a series of recalls. Additional silver medalists included Jordan Pierre (400m), Rivaldo Marshall (800m), and Ernest Cheruiyot (3,000m). Tyrice Taylor earned bronze in the 800m.

The breakdown of points for Arkansas included 57 in sprints, hurdles, and 4 x 400m relay, 52 in mid-distance, distance, and distance medley relay, along with 4.2 points in field events.

“We scored in 12 of the 17 events,” noted Case. “It’s a well-rounded team and a well-rounded program. We had a good meet and walked away with a win.

“It’s fun to win no matter what. It still feels the same. I love it, winning is part of the tradition here at Arkansas. Our goal is to always win team championships. We’re just trying to keep that alive and kicking.”

Watkins sped to a 20.28 victory in the 200m, improving his previous indoor best of 20.43 as well as his No. 2 position on the UA all-time list behind the 20.10 school record held by Wallace Spearmon, Jr.

The time by Watkins is currently the third fastest in the world this season. Florida’s Wanya McCoy placed second in 20.31 while Texas A&M’s Auhmad Robinson finished third in 20.41.

Arkansas totaled 17 points in the 200m as Dapriest Hogans and Tevijon Williams finished fifth and sixth in 20.87 and 20.88.

After a couple of recalls with no false starts accessed to the 60m field, Watkins ran 6.53 for second place behind Auburn’s Kanyinsola Ajayi, who equaled the collegiate record with a winning time of 6.45 and joined three other sprinters who hold the record. Razorback Karabo Letebele clocked 6.58 for fourth place.

Masai and Cheruiyot finished 1-2 in the 3,000m while Nick Busienei added three more points in sixth place. Masai set a meet and facility record in producing a 7:45.42 victory with Cheruiyot runner-up in 7:46.51.

Marshall and Taylor seemed destined for a 1-2 finish in the 800m, but ended up second and third behind Texas A&M’s Peter Narumbe (1:47.83). Marshall collected silver in 1:47.97 with Taylor nabbing bronze in1:48.78.

Pierre won his section of the 400m in 45.06 to break the UA record of 45.09 set by Chris Bailey in 2023. Pierre’s time ended up second best overall for silver as Alabama’s Samuel Ogazi won the second section in 44.72 with Georgia’s Jonathan Simms placing third overall in 45.23.

In wrapping up the meet, Arkansas claimed the 4 x 400m relay in 3:04.21 after Texas A&M (3:02.01) was disqualified. The Razorback foursome included Zander Cruzan (46.97), Pierre (45.89), Taylor (45.95), and Devyn Wright (45.40).

Finishing behind Arkansas were Georgia (3:04.596) and LSU (3:04.597), who were both timed in 3:04.60.

The 60m hurdles added nine points to the Razorback team score with Vashaun Vascianna (7.57) and Jerome Campbell (7.61) finishing fourth and fifth.

In the high jump, Scottie Vines cleared 7-0.25 (2.14) and was part of a 5-way tie for sixth place with each jumper scoring 1.2 points. The 7-2.25 (2.19) height eliminated 10 jumpers from the competition.

Georgia’s Kimani Jack cleared a facility record of 7-5.75 (2.28) to secure the victory, missing twice at 7-7 (2.31), while Oklahoma’s tandem of Tyson Ritz and Kyren Washington placed second and third, each clearing the previous facility record height of 7-4.5 (2.25).

A distance of 52-10 (16.10) for Abraham Johnson placed him seventh in the triple jump.

SEC Indoor | Arkansas medalist (11)

Gold (4)

Silver (4)

Bronze (3)