Sanu Jallow-Lockhart nearly breaks 800m collegiate record

FAYETTEVILLE – The final day of NCAA West First Rounds hosted at John McDonnell Field had the No. 7 Razorbacks delivering nine entries by eight athletes in six events to Eugene for the NCAA Championships.

Sanu Jallow-Lockhart produced the highlight of the meet with a 1:57.74 in the 800m that left her 0.01 of a second from the collegiate record of 1:57.73 set by Texas A&M’s Athing Mu in 2021. Jallow-Lockhart shattered the facility record of 2:00.80 set by Michigan’s Geena Gail at the 2009 NCAA Championships held in Fayetteville.

In the 4 x 400m relay, Jallow-Lockhart anchored the Razorbacks to a 3:21.83 victory with a 49.58 split. The time bettered the facility record of 3:21.92 established by Arkansas in 2024, which was a collegiate record at the time.

It also ranks as the No. 3 time on the all-time collegiate list behind the Arkansas collegiate record of 3:17.96 set in 2024 and the 3:20.04 the Razorbacks ran in winning the 2026 SEC title.

The previous three legs on the relay for the Razorbacks included Sanaria Butler (51.31), Analisse Batista (51.06), and Kaylyn Brown (49.88). Following Arkansas in the first section were Iowa (3:28.53) and Iowa State (3:28.81). Then a lightning delay stopped action for half an hour.

This marks the fifth facility record the Razorbacks have broken this season. Prior to the John McDonnell Field record, Arkansas broke facility records at Baylor (3:22.06), Texas A&M (3:24.64), LSU (3:23.68), and Auburn (3:20.04 at SEC Championships).

Times following Arkansas after the weather delay included Texas (3:27.03), USC (3:27.80), and Nebraska (3:28.40).

Joining Jallow-Lockhart in advancing to Eugene in the 800m was Batista, who claimed another section in 2:00.68. The second best time behind Jallow-Lockhart in the NCAA West field was 2:00.65 by Stanford’s Juliette Whittaker, the sister of Arkansas alum Isabella Whittaker.

In bettering her previous UA and Gambian record of 1:58.82 set this season, Jallow-Lockhart has the fourth fastest time in the world for 2026.

An impressive 400m by Brown had her leading the field with a 49.77 effort that bettered the facility record of 49.93 set by Razorback Nickisha Pryce in 2024. Butler joined Brown in the Eugene 400m field with a section win in 50.49.

The Sharpe sisters posted times of 52.06 (Amirah) and 52.47 (Arianna) in separate heats.

Gabriella Cunning improved her career best from 13.18 in the prelims to 13.02 (+1.8) in the quarterfinals to place third in her section and earned a trip to Eugene.

Maria Arboleda tied for fifth in the high jump, clearing a height of 6-1.5 (1.87) which moves her to No. 3 on the UA all-time list.

Taejha Badal finished eighth in her section of the 200m with a 23.40.

Advancing to Eugene | 9 entries | 8 athletes | 6 events