Wayne Pinnock opens outdoor with 27-8.25w winning leap

BATON ROUGE – Razorback Wayne Pinnock set sail during his outdoor debut in the long jump at Saturday’s LSU Invitational, producing an impressive leap of 27 feet, 8.25 inches (8.44) with an aiding wind of 5.8 meters per second.

Pinnock set a 2024 world leading mark under all-conditions with the winning effort at Bernie Moore Stadium. Pinnock has held the world leading mark since the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and also led the recent 2024 indoor season as well.

With only three jumps in his series, Pinnock opened with a 26-9w (8.15) that was assisted with a 7.1 wind. In the third round, with a modest 2.3 wind, Pinnock traveled 27-0.75 (8.25).

Also making an outdoor debut, Romaine Beckford claimed a high jump victory with a clearance of 7-3.75 (2.23), which is equal No. 7 on the UA all-time list with Lavar Miller (2001). Arkansas teammate Kason O’Riley finished third with a 7-2.5 (2.20) clearance, which is equal No. 10 on the UA all-time list with Ken LeGassey (2015).

Apalos Edwards season debut in the triple jump generated a runner-up performance of 53-11w (16.43) with an aiding wind of 4.5. American professional Chris Carter won the event with a 54.9.5w (16.70).

A victory in the 4 x 400m relay had the Razorbacks posting a time of 3:09.25 over Georgia Tech (3:10.96) and Indian Hills CC (3:15.15). Arkansas ran with a line-up Connor Washington, Brandon Battle [1:33.03], Jack Turner (47.81), and Isaac Carney (48.41).

Steven McElroy won his section of the 400m in 45.79, moving him to No. 9 on the UA all-time list, while teammate TJ Tomlyanovich finished third in 46.20.

LSU alum Vernon Norwood claimed the Invitational 400m in an impressive 44.74 given the windy conditions as Arkansas alum Chris Bailey finished second in 45.03. Florida’s Reheem Hayles ran 45.31 for third while Razorback James Benson II finished fourth at 45.79.

In the 110m hurdles a time of 13.48w (3.8) placed Tai Brown runner-up to a 13.40w for Auburn’s Ja’Kobe Tharp. The close finish included Ahmad Young of Ole Miss (13.51w) in third with LSU’s Matthew Sophia (13.52w) fourth.

Riley Wells led the Razorback crew in the 800m, placing third with a 1:48.95 while Elias Schreml finished seventh in the same section at 1:49.61. Isaac Carney (1:52.10) and Ethan Carney (1:52.68) each placed third in separate sections.

The lone freshman in the pole vault field, John Scott Kendricks finished third with a clearance of 16-11 (5.16).

Another third place effort was turned in by Williams Spencer, Jr. in the 400m hurdles with a time of 50.06 that places him No. 6 on the UA all-time list. LSU’s Sean Burrell won the race in 49.91 while Javon Williams was a close second in 49.96.

Lance Lang sped to a 20.36w for third in the 200m (2.3 wind) that was won in 20.11w by Makanakaishe Charamba of Auburn with Florida’s JeVaughn Powell runner-up at 20.28w. Connor Washington placed sixth in that section with a 20.81w while Tevijon Williams clocked 20.79w (4.5 wind) for third in the next section.

Earlier in the day, the 4 x 100m crew of Lang, Washington, McElroy, and Benson were unable to get the stick around and did not finish.

A manager’s 4 x 100m relay had Arkansas generating a 49.0 victory over LSU Gold (54.3), LSU White (57.4), and Ole Miss (59.5). The Razorback squad included Bobby Theplama, Omar Solimann, Conner McFadden, and Collin Anderson.