School record in distance medley relay for Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE – A school record performance by the Razorbacks in the distance medley relay was part of a world best and collegiate record set in the event Friday at the Arkansas Qualifier inside Randal Tyson Track Center.

The first race of the meet had Oklahoma State edging out Washington for the victory as both schools ran faster than the previous world best of 9:19.42 set by Oregon in January of 2021 at the Tyson Center. The Cowboys clocked 9:16.40 while the Huskies challenged with a 9:16.65.

Arkansas ran 9:22.13 in third place with Virginia fourth at 9:23.71 and Alabama fifth in 9:24.63.

Those five times add to an impressive collection of the of the fastest collegiate times ever run in the event, with the top 15 times all set in Fayetteville at the Tyson Center facility.

Distance Medley Relay | Collegiate All-Time Performances

In becoming the fifth fastest school all-time, the Razorback foursome included Ben Shearer (2:52.59), James Benson II (45.06), Leroy Russell III (1:47.51), and Elias Schreml (3:56.97). Benson supplied the fastest split at 400m as no other leg ran under 46 seconds.

Arkansas’ previous school record of 9:24.56 was set in the 2022 Arkansas Qualifier with Benson II and Schreml also part of that effort.

“It was a phenomenal effort,” stated Arkansas men’s head coach Chris Bucknam. “Fifth all-time ever and we finished third in the race. We were glad we had great competition with Oklahoma State and Washington. They pulled us through to a great time.”

Oklahoma State had splits of 2:49.49, 46.81, 1:47.27, and 3:52.83 from a crew that included Fouad Messaoudi, DeJuana McArthur, Hafez Mahadi, and Ryan Schoppe. Washington’s splits included 2:49.41, 46.36, 1:47.42, and 3:53.46 from a foursome of Joe Waskom, Daniel Gaik, Cass Elliott, and Kieran Lumb.

“We’re pretty happy with the result,” said Schreml. “It was hard for all of us, but we can be more than happy with a school record.”

Schearer added: “I was just thinking about keeping up with everyone else in the race and staying accountable to my teammates who were racing with me. It was an interesting experience. The race went out really hot and I was just focusing on staying up with those guys trying to make sure Benson, Russell, and Elias could do their jobs just as much as I was doing mine.”

Carey McLeod won the triple jump with one attempt as his leap measured 53-9 (16.38), which moves him to No. 7 on the 2023 collegiate list. Ryan Brown finished second in the long jump with a season best mark of 25-6 (7.77) while multi-event athlete Yariel Soto Torrado placed fourth with a 24-8.5 (7.53).

Another runner-up performance in the field events included Ralford Mulllings in the shot put as his career best of 59-5 (18.11) moves him to No. 7 on the UA all-time list.

“Carey had a great triple jump with one attempt,” said Bucknam. “He’s a great dual jumper and he’ll be ready to go in the championship season when we get to the SEC and NCAA Championships.

“Mulllings had a good PR in the shot put and his specialty is in the discus outdoors. He’s doing a great job and is a vital member of our program. He’ll be front and center when we get outdoors.”

Arkansas hurdlers fnished 2-3-4-6 with Tre’Bien Gilbert runner-up at 7.72 behind a 7.60 for USC’s Johnny Brackins. The Razorback group included Phillip Lemonious (7.80), Matthew Lewis-Banks (7.83) and Brevin Sims (7.89).

Connor Washington posted a 21.05 as runner-up in the 200m behind a 20.67 from USC’s Max Thomas.

Ricardo Banks ran 1:48.66 for third in the 800m as teammate Ethan Carney set a career best of 1:49.39 for fourth.

Jeremy Farr led a crew of Razorbacks in the 400m with a 47.00 for third place. Devontie Archer (47.58), and TJ Tomlyanovich (47.94) placed fifth and seventh.

Arkansas alum Amon Kemboi raced in the mile and produced a career best of 3:55.27 as runner-up to a 3:54.93 by UCLA’s Ronan McMahon-Staggs, which broke the meet record of 3:56.10 set in 2022 by Drake’s Isaac Basten.

Razorbacks in the mile field included Reuben Reina (4:06.43), Jack Williams (4:08.11), and Tommy Romanow (4:14.07).