Wooo Pig Classic features mile debut for Sanu Jallow-Lockhart

FAYETTEVILLE – The No. 7 Razorbacks host the Wooo Pig Classic on Saturday at the Randal Tyson Track Center. This meet is being held for the first time since its debut in 2021.

Teams competing in the meet include Central Arkansas, Coffeyville (Ks) CC, Grambling State, Harding, Houston Christian, Little Rock, Louisiana Monroe, Louisiana Tech, Missouri State, Notre Dame, Northwestern State, and Pittsburg State.

The Wooo Pig Classic will stream on SEC Network + starting at noon (CT) via this link. Live results are available through Flash Results at this link.

“This is a non-traditional meet on our schedule,” noted Arkansas women’s head coach Chris Johnson. “Nevertheless we’re looking forward to it. Some athletes will train through this meet as we prepare for the Tyson Invitational next weekend.

“This meet is a little lower key for us. So, we’ll be working on sharpening up on some things and fixing some things in getting ready and geared up for one of the biggest meets of the year at the Tyson Invitational.”

Sanu Jallow-Lockhart, who was named to the Bowerman watchlist this week, is entered in the mile at the Wooo Pig Classic. After breaking the collegiate record in the 600m (1:24.19) to start the indoor season, Jallow-Lockhart won the 800m (2:01.55) last weekend.

Now Jallow-Lockhart will have an indoor debut at the mile distance as she races with teammates Josphine Mwaura, Sorcha Shiu, and Bradley Weimer. Jallow-Lockhart raced over a 1,500m distance outdoors last season, establishing a Gambian national record of 4:28.26.

“It’s a well-deserved honor for Sanu to be named to the Bowerman watchlist,” stated Johnson. “She’s worked very hard, she’s accomplished a lot, and done very well for herself and the program.

“Sanu will run the mile this weekend and it’s an event that is evolving. We want her to work on both ends of the spectrum in getting faster but also getting stronger as well. She’s up for the challenge, it’s something she wants to do and requested. We’re happy to oblige her and build her resume to be one of the very best in the country.”

Pro athletes making their debut this indoor season at the Wooo Pig Classic will include Julien Alfred, the 100m Olympic gold medalist in Paris, in the 60m. The women’s 400m will feature Arkansas alums Amber Anning, Nickisha Pryce, Rosey Effiong, and Britton Wilson.

“They started later in training, so they’re not in peak form like they would like to be in this time,” noted Johnson of the 400m alumni group. “They understand that’s the plan this year. We’re going to race a little bit indoors to kind of see where they’re at in training.

“We’re looking forward to having some fun. Training, training, training is not always exciting, so they want to get out there and compete.”

Anning, the defending World Indoor 400m champion, will race in the UK Athletics Indoor Championships on the February 14-15 weekend in Birmingham, England. The meet serves as the selection trial for the World Athletics Indoor Championships, which will be held in Torun, Poland, on March 20-22.

A crew of eight current Razorbacks will contest the 400m, which includes Jallow-Lockhart along with Abigail Campbell, Kayla Davis, Morgan Herbst, Saira Prince, Rae-Anne Serville, Amirah Sharpe, and Arianna Sharpe.

Racing in the 800m for Arkansas are Analisse Batista, Ainsley Erzen, Madeleine Gear, Makenna Herbst, and Faith Murphy.

The short sprints will include an Arkansas freshman trio of Ryan Jennings, Asia Thomas, and Breagan Blowers along with senior Taejha Badal racing in the 60m and 200m. Sanaria Butler will join that group in the 200m.

In the 60m hurdles, the Razorback group includes Simone Ballard, Gabriella Cunningham, Shania Myers, and Prince.

Field events will have Maria Isabel Arboleda Angulo and Savannah Byers in the high jump along with Hannah Estes and Addison Richey in the pole vault.