Cross Muncie add depth to sprint crew

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas Razorback men’s track and field head coach Chris Bucknam announced the addition of two student-athletes for the sprints/hurdles/relays events for the 2009-10 season on Friday.

"We are adding two great athletes in Caleb Cross and Chris Muncie," head coach Chris Bucknam said. "Both are able to run in numerous events and will really add some depth to an important event area for our program. Chris is going to be a strong 200/400 guy and will add another leg to our relays. Caleb is one of the top hurdlers in the nation and we are thrilled he’s decided to stay in Arkansas and be a Razorback."

Caleb Cross is a native of Newport, Ark. While running for the Greyhounds, Cross posted personal bests of 14.01 in the 110-meter hurdles, 36.99 in the 300-meter hurdles, 53.42 in the 400-meter hurdles, 22.09 in the 200 meters and 48.47 in the 400 meters.

Cross is the 2009 Arkansas State Champion in both hurdle events. He clocked times of 14.01 and 37.20, respectively, to win his state titles. At the Arkansas Meet of Champions, he clocked times of 14.08 and 36.99 in the 110-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles, respectively, to win both events.

Cross’ 300-meter hurdles time of 36.99 broke the Arkansas Meet of Champions record and the overall state record. The previous record of 37.04 was set by former Razorback Sam Glover in 1998. Cross is a three-time all-state honoree and holds the Newport High School record in the 300-meter hurdles.

Cross is an honors graduate of Newport High School with 3.95 GPA and plans to major in computer engineering. He was a member of the National Honor Society and also lettered in basketball.

Chris Muncie is a native of El Paso, Texas and will graduate from Montwood High School. He holds personal bests of 21.38 in the 200 meters and 47.22 in the 400 meters. He finished sixth in the 200 meters (21.73) and fourth in the 400 meters (47.30) at the 2008 Texas State Championships.

He broke the Montwood High School record in the 400 meters during the 2009 season with his personal-best time of 47.22. Muncie is also a two-time USA Track and Field Championships qualifier in the 200-meter hurdles (13/14) and the 400 meters (U17/18). He also lettered in football and basketball.

Arkansas Razorback men’s track and field will compete next at the NCAA Mideast Regional Championships, May 29-30, at the University of Louisville. For more information, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.