Tyson Invitational offers stellar fields for No. 2 Razorbacks
FAYETTEVILLE – Serving as one of the premier indoor collegiate meets annually over the past 25 years, this weekend’s Tyson Invitational continues a tradition of featuring an elite field of collegians and professional athletes inside the Randal Tyson Track Center.
Nine schools nationally ranked among the top 25 will be represented among 44 teams and over 1,200 athletes competing this Friday and Saturday.
No. 2 Arkansas is the top ranked women’s program, followed by No. 3 Oregon, No. 4 Illinois, No. 9 Florida, No. 12 Nebraska, No. 14 Oklahoma, No. 18 LSU, No. 21 TCU, and No. 24 Alabama.
“This will be an exciting meet, and it’s always been an great meet,” noted Arkansas women’s head coach Chris Johnson. “Over the past 25 years it’s been a spectacular meet with the Tyson name on it.
“We appreciate all the support and we’re excited to have some spectacular performances this weekend. There are a lot of great athletes coming in, so we’re looking forward to another great Tyson Invitational.”
A live stream through SEC Network + will be available each day, starting at 4 p.m. on Friday (https://tinyurl.com/2a5kyk54), and noon on Saturday (https://tinyurl.com/2s3td7y5). Live results will be available through flashresults.com at this link: https://tinyurl.com/mryk3wcs.
PARKING INFO
With Razorback baseball opening its season this weekend, parking for the Tyson Invitational will be in Lot 500 and will cost $5 per day. Payment can be made through the Flowbird app and searching Zone 500, or by texting UARK500 to 25023 and follow prompts.
The 400m Invitational on Friday will feature 10 Razorbacks led by Isabella Whittaker and includes Joanne Reid, Sanaria Butler, Rachel Glenn and Anna Podojil.
Professionals in the 400m field include Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain, the 2024 Olympic silver medalist, Arkansas alums Amber Anning and Nickisha Pryce, as well as Anna Cockrell and Dalilah Muhammad, both Olympic medalists in the 400m hurdles.
Invitational events in the Friday evening session also include the 60m, 60m hurdles, 3,000m, and long jump.
Paityn Noe and Olivia Pielemeier represent Arkansas in the 3,000m. The field also has alums Logan Jolly and Katie McCune. Noe posted a career best time of 15:23.41 in the 5,000m in December and then produced a career best 4:34.02 in the mile two weeks ago.
Nia Robinson and Funminiyi Olajide, who rank No. 2 and No. 3 on the UA all-time list, face a very talented long jump field that includes collegiate leader Anthaya Charlton of Florida, who ranks No. 2 in the world for 2025.
“Nia has done a really good job being a dual jumper,” said Johnson. “It’s difficult since the technique is different between the two events from the long to triple jump. The demand is high. She wants to do what is best for the team, and we feel like this is what’s best for the team.
“We feel she can excel in both jumps. Last year we just couldn’t really nail it down. Boogie Johnson has done a fantastic job with her, getting her prepared to do both. She’s a very talented young lady. We think there is more there, and we’re excited to see what happens.”
Pros in the long jump field include Florida alums Jasmine Moore, a bronze medalist in the Paris Olympics, and Claire Bryant along with Sydney Willits, the 2024 NCAA Indoor champion while at Iowa State.
Five Razorbacks are entered in the 60m hurdles Invitational field, led by Glenn, Simone Ballard, and Skye Tolbert. Alums include Taliyah Brooks and Destiny Huven.
TCU freshman Indya Mayberry is the current collegiate leader in the 60m while LSU’s Tima Godbless ranks third. Four Razorbacks are entered in the Invitational section, led by Ariane Linton and Anya Jackson.
Defending NCAA Indoor 60m champion Brianna Lyston is scheduled to make her season debut in the event this weekend.
Invitational events on Saturday will feature the 800m, high jump, pole vault, and triple jump.
Four of the top 10 collegiate triple jumpers this indoor season are among a field of nine in the Invitational section at the Tyson Invitational. They include Missouri’s Euphenie Andre, Agur Dwol of Oklahoma, Nebraska’s Rhianna Phipps, and Robinson, who came within four inches of the Arkansas record two weeks ago with a 44-0 (13.41) victory.
Rachel Homoly, who has won two home meets this season, is the lone Razorback in the Invitational pole vault. The field includes Oklahoma’s Olivia Lueking, who cleared 14-10 (4.52) last weekend, and professional Emily Grove, who won here a year ago and claimed a victory at the Prefontaine Classic outdoors.
Six Razorbacks in the 800m are led by Sanu Jallow-Lockhart, Tiana LoStracco, Ainsley Erzen and Podojil. Indoor collegiate record holder Glenn headlines the high jump field that includes teammates Sydney Billington and Heidi Hudson.
