Razorbacks host Arkansas Spring Invitational for home opener
FAYETTEVILLE – The Razorbacks host the first of three home meets during the 2025 outdoor season with the Arkansas Spring Invitational on Saturday, April 12, at John McDonnell Field.
The meet will be streamed on SEC Network + starting at 1 p.m. Live results are available through flashresults.com at this link. The Fastest Kid in Fayetteville will be part of the schedule for kids ages 6-12, with races starting at 3:15 p.m.
Teams competing in the Arkansas Spring Invitational include Allen (Kan.), Highland (Kan.), Indian Hills (Iowa), Kansas, Louisiana Tech, Missouri Southern, Missouri State, NorthWest Arkansas, Oklahoma Baptist, Oklahoma Christian, Oklahoma State, Pittsburg State, Rogers State, St. Thomas (Minn.), Tulsa, and Washburn.
An all-Arkansas section of the 400m sees the return of Razorback sprinters Rosey Effiong and Shawnti Jackson. Effiong ran unattached indoors and competed in the World Indoor Championships, earning gold in the 4 x 400m relay and finished sixth in the final of the 400m.
Jackson ran on three relays during the Texas Relays, splitting 51.6 and 51.2 on the second leg of Razorback 4 x 400m squads and also ran a 200m leg on the sprint medley relay that finished runner-up in 3:38.15, the third fastest collegiate time ever.
“We are bringing Shawnti Jackson back into the fold,” stated Arkansas women’s assistant coach Taylor Washington. “Obviously, that’s huge for us on the short sprint side. She’ll be opening up in the 400m.
“We’re still kind of building strength for her. She’s super strong and we’ll be working in speed over the next three to four weeks. In a couple of weeks she’ll be in her primary events.”
Sanu Jallow-Lockhart and Ainsley Erzen will move up in distance and race over 1,500m. The Invitational race will include Arkansas alums Shafiqua Maloney and Tiana LoStracco as well as Razorbacks Olivia Pielemeier, Mackenzie Rogers, Morgan Kirkland, and Madeleine Gear.
“Sanu in the 1,500m will be exciting,” noted Washington. “We’re shaking things up a bit with her rather than some under event stuff in the 400m, we decided to go up to the 1,500m.”
After opening in the 400m hurdles at the Texas Relays, Rachel Glenn will compete in the 100m hurdles and 400m. Joining Glenn in the 100m hurdles are Simone Ballard, Shania Myers and Saira Prince along with alum Destiny Huven.
Racing in the same all-Razorback section of the 400m with Effiong, Jackson, and Glenn are Sanaria Butler, Joanne Reid, Anna Podojil, and Aaliyah Pyatt. Effiong will also race in the final section of the 200m along with Kaylyn Brown, Ariane Linton, Butler and Reid.
Plenty of Razorbacks will be included in relay events as Arkansas is scheduled to have a pair of 4 x 100m relays and five 4 x 400m relays.
“In the 4 x 100, we’ll knock the dust off and have a couple of combinations to shake things up a bit and get comfortable with the stick,” Washington said. “Plus, we’ll be throwing just about everybody in a 4 x 400 and have some fun from the distance side and sprint side.”
A crew of five Razorbacks are among a field of 18 pole vaulters, which includes Rachel Homoly, Hannah Estes, Addison Richey, Emily Cloutier, and Bailee Wooten. Sydney Billington will compete in the high jump.
