Razorbacks produce a trio of victories at UTSA Invitational

SAN ANTONIO – Opening the outdoor season at the UTSA Invitational on Saturday produced three victories for the Razorbacks along with a couple of wins by Arkansas alums.

A 1-2-3 finish for the Razorbacks in the 100m hurdles had Simone Ballard leading with a wind-aided 13.14 (3.2 wind) over Saira Prince in 13.20w and Gabriella Cunningham with a 13.35w.

Wind readings ranged from 1.9 to 5.2 among events involving Arkansas at the Park West Athletic Center.

Alum Shafiqua Maloney claimed the final section of the 400m in 51.67 over a pair of Razorbacks. Amirah Sharpe finished as runner-up in 52.74 while twin sister, Arianna, placed third at 52.84.

In the fifth section of the 400m, Abigail Campbell led the Arkansas crew as runner-up in 52.89 behind a 52.15 for Texas A&M’s Jahnile Registre. Razorbacks placed 2-6 with a slew of career best times that included Taejha Badal (53.06 PR), Prince (53.89 outdoor PR), Asia Thomas (54.33 PR), and Morgan Herbst (55.48 PR).

Maria Arbolede won the high jump with a clearance of 5-10.75 (1.80), which is equal No. 6 on the UA all-time list outdoors. Savannah Byers tied for ninth at 5-5 (1.65). Hannah Estes finished fourth in the pole vault with a 12-11.5 (3.95) clearance.

Professional Alexis Holmes, who trains in Fayetteville, won the 800m in 2:07.35 with Makenna Herbst runner-up and the top collegian in 2:08.10 ahead of a 2:08.19 for Grace Kowalski of Texas.

A set of career best times followed in the 200m with a 1.9 wind in section 6 as the Razorbacks finished 1-2-3 with Badal equaling her career best of 23.23 while Sanaria Butler (23.26) and Amirah Sharpe (23.60) both set PRs.

Arkansas alum Amber Anning registered the fastest 200m time with a windy 22.75 (3.7 wind) as Kaylyn Brown finished fourth in the section at 23.04w while Arianna Sharpe clocked 23.61w in seventh.

Earlier, with a 5.2 wind in the 100m, Anning finished fourth with an 11.30w while Brown placed sixth in 11.39w and Arkansas alum Taliyah Brooks posted an 11.41w in seventh.

Arkansas returns to Texas next week for Baylor’s Clyde Hart Classic in Waco on March 27-28.