Top-Ranked Razorbacks host world-renowned Tyson Invitational

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — No. 1 in the national polls for the third consecutive week, Arkansas’ women’s track and field team looks to maintain its top-ranked stature, in search of improved performances this weekend in Fayetteville at the Tyson Invitational and on the road in Seattle, Washington at the Husky Classic.

“The Tyson meet is phenomenal,” said head coach Lance Harter.” “If you’re a fan of speed, the Tyson Invitational is it. The best of the best as far as the women’s side goes is just absolutely exquisite. USC, who is No. 2 in the nation, Georgia, who is one of the top teams in the nation, Florida, all that sprint speed is coming to matchup with our crew. We will see a preview of the NCAA meet, and it’s going to be absolutely extraordinary. It’ll be a whos who of everybody that can run fast will be here on our track,” Harter finished.

Well-known as one of the most competitive indoor meets in the country for the sprints and field events, the Tyson Invitational will see the Razorbacks match up against 33 collegiate programs and several of the top professional athletes from around the world. Out of the 33 programs competing at the Randal Tyson Track Center this weekend eight are nationally ranked among the top-25 best in the country including No. 1 Arkansas, No. 2 USC, No. 4 Florida, No. 5 Florida State, No. 9 Georgia, No. 12 LSU, No. 14 Alabama, No. 15 Iowa, and No. 22 Kansas State.

Junior Taylor Werner headlines a group of six Razorbacks journeying to Seattle this weekend for stiff competition in the distance events at the Husky Classic. Werner heads into the meet looking to improve upon her 3,000-meter performance (9:08.46), which currently ranks her at No. 5 in the NCAA. The meet will feature several nationally ranked powers and individually ranked individuals across the board.

“For the distances, everybody migrates to the University of Washington for the Husky Invitational,” said Harter. “If you want to get a ticket to the national championship meet in the mile or the 3,000-meters, for men or women, you have to go to Husky. We’re taking Taylor Werner, Lauren Gregory, Carina Viljoen to run the 3,000-meters and the mile, and then Sydney Brown and Maddy Reed and Devin Clark will run either the mile or the 3,000-meters depending on how the races set up,” Harter finished.

Arkansas currently has 12 athletes ranked in the top-10 of the NCAA in their respective events including Kiara Parker who currently sits atop the NCAA rankings in the 60-meters holding a season-best of 7.15 that is tied for the fourth-best mark in the world this season.

For more information on Arkansas track and field including in-meet updates, follow @RazorbackTF on Twitter.