Gauntlett finishes seventh in NCAA 400m

DES MOINES, Iowa – In the team’s lone race of the day, Akheem Gauntlett ran to a seventh-place finish at 400 meters Friday at the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. With his performance and at the end of day three of the national meet, the No. 12 University of Arkansas men’s track and field team sits in eighth place with 18 points through 13 events scored.

Running out of lane three in the event final, Gauntlett posted a time of 45.56 which was good for seventh place and worth two points toward the Razorbacks’ team total. His result represents the highest national placing in the event for an Arkansas runner since Terry Gatson was seventh back at the 2005 NCAA Championships.

“That was a real hard race,” Gauntlett said. “It was probably one of the hardest of my life with so many tough competitors out there. I just didn’t have it at the end like I wanted. Now I just have to get back and rest to get ready for two relay races tomorrow.”

Gauntlett is scheduled to be part of Arkansas’ 4x100- and 4x400-meter relays Saturday. The Razorbacks had the seventh-fastest qualifying time in the 4x100 relay and the eighth-fastest qualifying time in the 4x400 relay.

Arkansas will have three scoring opportunities Saturday at the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Duncan Phillips will run in the finals of the 1,500 meters and both Razorback relays will compete for a national title. The final day of competition at the national meet will be televised by ESPNU with the broadcast beginning at 11 a.m. (CT). Video coverage will also be available on ESPN3.com.

For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Friday Results
400 Meters (final)
7. Akheem Gauntlett – 45.56 [2 points]