Chaplin rolling in heptathlon

AUSTIN, Texas – Sophomore Etienne Chaplin got the University of Arkansas Lady Razorback track team off to a great start at the 80th annual Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays on Wednesday with 3,252 points on the first day of the heptathlon on an overcast and breezy day in Austin, Texas.

Chaplin started off with a bang in the 100-meter hurdles when she recorded an NCAA regional qualifying mark of 13.78 seconds. Finishing fourth in her heat, Chaplin was the fourth finisher overall in the 20-person field with her time and scored 1,010 points. The 100-meter hurdle effort improved Chaplin’s personal best in the event by nearly a half-second from just a year ago.

“I thought Etienne performed well toady,” Arkansas associate head coach Rolando Greene said. “She ran personal bests in both the hurdles and 200, but I thought she let it go a little in the shot put and high jump. With a good solid day tomorrow I think that she can score between 5,300 and 5,400 points and secure a spot at the NCAA Championships.”

Moving on to the high jump, Chaplin passed on the first four bars of the competition before taking her first jump at five feet, one and three-quarter inches. Clearing that with ease, she raised the bar to 5-3 and again made the height on her first attempt. The next height attempted, 5-4 ¼, was Chaplin’s undoing as she narrowly missed on a pair of attempts. She would grab 736 points for her effort, but dropped in the overall standings to ninth place.

Looking for a rebound in the shot put, Chaplin looked exceptional in warm ups as she continuously hit the 40-foot mark. Her three competition throws told a different story however as she managed just a three-throw best of 36-4 ¾. Her toss garnered another 601 points and kept her in ninth place overall.

Chaplin’s first day ended with the 200 meters and Chaplin was ready to race. Running in the second of three heats, Chaplin got out fast and pushed the tempo leaving the competition in her wake. She cruised to victory in her heat and her time of 24.80 was another personal best and the sixth fastest overall. The 905 points she earned for her race moved Chaplin up two places in the overall standings to seventh.

The Lady Razorbacks continue competition at the Texas Relays throughout the weekend. For more information about Lady Razorback track or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to LADYBACKS.COM.