Former Razorbacks Capture Two National Titles, Underwood Makes Team USA
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Two former Razorbacks captured Jamaican National Titles this past weekend as current and former Arkansas greats competed at the JAAA/SVL National Senior& Junior Championships at National Stadium.
Clive Pullen and Kemar Mowatt each earned their first Jamaican National Titles in their respective events with Mowatt taking the 400-meter hurdle crown and Pullen leaving as the triple jump champion. Mowatt ran 49.69Q in the prelims before dropping a season-best 48.70 – currently, No. 5 in the world – that also meets the world qualifying standard. “For the last couple of months I have had injuries so I wasn’t able to practice,” Mowatt revealed. “I only had four good weeks of practice, so it was all God.”
Pullen wrapped up competition in the triple jump with a best of 17.02m (55-10.25) (+4.6). Though Pullen’s best jump exceeded the world qualifying standard the +4.6m/s wind reading excludes the mark from counting towards the IAAF World Championships (Sept. 28-Oct. 6), Pullen’s best qualifying mark this season is currently 16.83m (55-2.75) and is the 29th best mark in the world this season.
Also competing at the meet was current Razorback Janeek Brown, the newly crowned NCAA Champion. Brown ran a quick 12.68-second semifinal race to advance to the finals. There was a bit of controversy in the finals causing the race to be scratched from the meet.
Per trackalerts.com “Danielle Williams, the defending national champion was singled out for a false start but refused to leave the track in protest, which delayed the start for more than 20-minutes. In fact, Williams was shown the red card on three separate occasions but remained adamant in her beliefs that she did nothing wrong. When the race was sent off for a second time, there was more confusion, as several popping sounds were heard coming from the stands which forced the starter to recalled the athletes. However, more than three hurdlers run at least six flights of barriers, while an unaware Brown finished the entire. The organizers initially announced that the race would be pushed to back until after the men’s event, but the entire event was canceled moments after. Three athletes were reported injured in that aftermath and were unable to compete, forcing the organizers to abort everything all together.”
MIRAMAR, Fla. – Meghan Underwood wrapped up competition at the USA U20 National Championships with a spot on Team USA this past weekend at the Ansin Sports Complex.
Underwood finished third in 4:31.20 to earn a spot on the USATF U20 squad that will compete at the Pan American U20 Athletics Championships July 19-21 in San José, Costa Rica.
“Meghan [Underwood] is one of the most improved athletes in my career,” said head coach Lance Harter. “After coming to us with a PR of 5:25 in the mile, she’s worked hard and is reaping the results. She scored at both the indoor and outdoor SEC Championships and will see her season continue late into the summer,” Harter finished.
J’Alyiea Smith competed in the high jump taking seventh with a clearance of 1.75m (5-8.75).
Paris Peoples posted a lifetime-best of 52.74 in the 400-meters to finish sixth, one spot shy of making Team USA.
Rashad Boyd finished ninth in the men’s 200-meters, running 21.21
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