Razorbacks produce 12 entries for NCAA West quarterfinals

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas produced 12 entries for Saturday’s quarterfinals in five events during Thursday’s action in the NCAA West First Rounds at John McDonnell Field.

Heidi Hudson placed 14th in the long jump, entrenched in a tight battle for a top 12 position that would advance to Eugene, with a mark of 20-9 (6.32). Claiming 11th place at 20-10 (6.35) was Iowa State’s Sydney Willits while a 20-9.75 (6.34) secured 12th place for Texas A&M’s Morgan Davis.

Just missing the final spot to advance to Eugene by half an inch was Texas Tech’s Tamiah Washington while a 20-8w (6.30) by Nia Thompson of Sam Houston State placed 15th.

Razorbacks advanced to Saturday’s quarterfinals in the 200m, 400m, 800m, 100m hurdles, and 400m hurdles.

Racing in the same heat of the 400m hurdles, Saira Prince and Morgan Herbst generated the second and third best times of 55.79 and 56.09 behind a 55.59 for Amelliah Birdow of Texas. The 56.09 for Herbst ranks her No. 6 on the UA all-time list.

Arkansas also had the second and third best times in the 400m from Kaylyn Brown (50.73) and Sanaria Butler (51.16) as they each won a heat. A 50.25 from Rachel Joseph of Iowa State led the field.

Amirah Sharpe earned an auto qualification to the quarterfinal with a runner-up finish in 52.28 while her sister Arianna Sharpe advanced on time with a 52.36.

Gabriella Cunningham set a career best of 13.18 as runner-up in her heat of the 100m hurdles to reach the quarterfinal.

Four Razorbacks advancing to quarterfinals in the 800m included Analisse Batista (2:03.28), Sanu Jallow-Lockhart (2:03.55), Makenna Herbst (2:04.55), and Ainsley Erzen (2:05.44). Batista and Jallow-Lockhart won separate heats while Herbst finished runner-up and Erzen was third as all four earned auto qualification.

Taejha Badal advanced to the 200m quarterfinal on time with a 23.47 that served as the final time qualifier. Asia Thomas ran 23.60 in placing fifth in another heat. 

Advancing to Quarterfinals on Friday | 12 entries, 12 athletes, 5 events