4x800 second at Texas Relays

AUSTIN, Texas – The No. 13 University of Arkansas men’s track and field team closed out the day’s action at the 84th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays with a runner-up performance in the 4×800-meter relay. With no entries on the opening day of action, Thursday was the beginning of competition for the Razorbacks at the prestigious event held at Mike A. Myers Track Stadium in Austin.

"I thought our guys did a good job," head coach Chris Bucknam said. "They ran solid. (Texas A&M) was just a step better than us today. We ran a very respectable time. We would like to have Dey Tuach as one of the legs, hopefully by the end of the month. Momoh did a great job for us. This was his first successful big-time race where he got us right in the mix where we should be."

The Razorbacks’ quartet of Leoman Momoh (1:51.343), Duncan Phillips (1:47.91), Dorian Urley (1:48.38) and Chris Bilbrew (1:52.15) combined for a time of 7:20.20. Arkansas’ performance marks the team’s best result in the Texas Relays’ 4×800 relay since another second-place finish during the 2009 event. Arkansas and eventual-winner Texas A&M controled the 13-team race during the final two legs. The Aggies had a time of 7:19.57 for the win. Oklahoma, the third-place team, finished more than nine seconds behind the Razorbacks.

In the only other activity of the day for Arkansas, Andrew Pennington and Travis Southard competed in the preliminary round of the 400-meter hurdles. Running in heat one, Pennington clocked a time of 53.06, his third personal best in as many races this season. Southard finished his heat with a time of 54.09. Pennington and Southard finished 16th and 30th overall, respectively, and did not advance to Saturday’s final.

Day three of the 2011 Texas Relays begins Friday at 9:30 a.m. (CT) with the 4×100-meter relay. For full schedule, live results and interactive blog, log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com. The interactive blog for the event will begin with Friday’s afternoon session.