Shafiqua Maloney adds mile national record to résumé

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas alum Shafiqua Maloney added another national title to her résumé with a 4 minute, 33.68 second performance in her debut in running the mile at the Arkansas Qualifier on Monday at the Randal Tyson Track Center.

Moving from fourth to first over the last lap of the race, Maloney registered an impressive victory over a 4:34.29 by Yazmine Wright. Razorback Mia Cochran finished third in a career best of 4:34.70 and led a crew of PRs by Arkansas runners.

Tiana LoStracco finished fourth in 4:34.81 while Laura Tobardo claimed fifth in 4:43.86. Another PR was established by Ainsley Erzen with a 4:44.37 placing her sixth while Cachi Gonzales clocked 4:48.58 in eighth place.

Previously, Maloney bettered her St. Vincent and the Grenadines national record in the 800m to a world class 1:58.69 in winning the event at the Tyson Invitational.

“Since I never raced a mile before, I did it one time in practice and I ran 4:57 and I felt like I left my left lung at the 1k,” noted Maloney. “When it comes to racing and training you’ve got to be able to trust what coach says. So, I let go of how I felt and listened to what coach said.

“In terms of coming from behind, I’ve never raced a mile before so I found somebody to hang on to. When I knew it was time to go, I just went. Surprisingly, it kind of felt the same in finishing an 800m. A kick is a kick. I just went out there and had fun. That’s the most important part of what you do, especially when it’s something you’re not used to. Go out there and have fun, but make sure you execute.”

A victory in the high jump had Razorback Sydney Billington clearing a season best of 5-11.25 (1.81) while Arkansas alum Taliyah Brooks finished second with a height of 5-9.75 (1.76).

Alum Jada Baylark won the Open 60m in 7.22 over a 7.30 by another alum in Ackera Nugent. In the 200m, Baylark finished fourth in 23.27 while Razorback Joanne Reid placed fifth in 23.39. Reid also placed fifth in the 400m with a 52.54 with Ashanti Denton ninth in 53.61.

Analisse Batista set a PR of 2:05.13 as runner-up in the 800m behind a 2:04.24 by Canada’s Simone Plourde. Batista moves to No. 12 on the UA all-time list.

Career bests times in the 3,000m were registered by Mary Ellen Eudaly (9:25.40) and Mackenzie Rogers (9:33.34) as they placed second and third behind alum Claire McClune’s winning time of 9:22.14.

Marin Chamberlin tied for second in the pole vault with a career best height of 13-10.5 (4.23). Teammates Hannas Estes and Amanda Fassold matched that height in placing fourth and fifth. Estes improved her career best as well.