Wayne Pinnock claims long jump gold, Razorbacks share lead

BOSTON – Razorback Wayne Pinnock claimed a second long jump gold at the NCAA Indoor Championships with an indoor career best of 27-6.75 (8.40) that equals the Jamaican national record shared by James Beckford (1996) and Carey McLeod (2023).

At the end of the first day, with five of 17 completed, Arkansas and Northern Arizona share the lead in team scoring with 18 points each. Following with 13 points each are North Carolina and Oklahoma State.

In addition to 10 points from Pinnock, Peter Maru in the 5,000m and the distance medley each contributed four points off fifth-place finishes.

An impressive series of 27-foot jumps by Pinnock produced a series of 27-0 (8.23), 27-5.25 (8.36), 27-2.5 (8.29), 27-6.75 (8.40), foul, and foul. Pinnock moves to equal No. 5 on the all-time collegiate list with McLeod and is equal No. 2 on the UA all-time list, trailing only the school record of 27-8 (8.43) set by Erick Walder in 1994.

Pinnock also bettered the facility record of 26-11 (8.20) established by McLeod earlier this indoor season.

In regards to the tie for the Jamaican indoor national record secondary marks within their respective series gives Beckford the edge at 27-6 (8.38), Pinnock is runner-up with a 27-5.25 (8.36), and McLeod is third at 26-11.75 (8.22).

Maru posted a time of 13:30.51 for fifth place, while teammates Kirami Yego (13:36.32) and Patrick Kiprop (13:39.18) finished ninth and 11th. Northern Arizona collected 12 points in race with winner Nico Young (13:25.29) as well as Aaron Las Heras (13:31.55) placing seventh.

The Razorbacks were in ninth place at the final exchange of the baton in the distance medley relay. Ben Shearer split 3:56.02 on the 1,600m leg as his effort moved Arkansas from to fourth during the anchor segment before finishing fifth.

Leading off the relay was Elias Schreml (2:57.70), followed by William Spencer, Jr. (46.50), and Riley Wells (1:48.56). The performance ranks No. 7 on the UA all-time list.

Lance Lang advanced to the final of the 200m, while Jordan Anthony in the 60m and Tai Brown in the 60m hurdles missed making the final.

Lang clocked 20.57 to place third in his section and seventh overall. Anthony ran 6.63 to place fourth in the heat and 10th overall, where 6.62 was the final time qualifier for the final. A 7.74 for Brown placed sixth in the heat and 11th overall.

In the first day of the heptathlon, the Razorback crew ranks 9-10-11-13. They will need to finish among the top eight in order to score any team points this weekend. Second day heptathlon events include the 60m hurdles, pole vault, and 1,000m.

Leading the Arkansas quartet is Marcus Weaver with 3,214 points, followed by Jack Turner with 3,178 points. Daniel Spejcher reached a first day total of 3,173 with Yariel Soto Torrado at 3,122.

Weaver opened with a 7.26 in the 60m for 792 points, then long jumped 22-11.75 (7.00) for 14 points. In the shot put, Weaver finished fourth overall with a toss of 50-0.5 (15.25) to add 805 points to his score. Then he led the Razorbacks in the high jump with a 6-6.75 (2.00) clearance for 803 points.

Turner started off the day by equaling his career best in the 60m with a time of 7.03 for 872 points. Turner had the best long jump among the Razorbacks, placing fifth among the field with a 24-4.25 (7.43) for 918 points. A mark of 41-1.75 (12.54) followed in the shot put for 639 points. Then a high jump of 6-4.25 (1.94) for 749 points completed the day for Turner.