DMR Hits Auto Mark at Arkansas Last Chance
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Razorbacks’ distance medley relay put all the pieces together at the Arkansas Last Chance, Friday, March 7, at the Randal Tyson Track Center. The group clocked an NCAA automatic-qualifying time of 9:30.08.
“That was our last chance and we did,” McDonnell said. “I was really pleased with the DMR because they looked very good during the race. That was very encouraging. Hopefully J-Mee’s (Samuels) time will get him in to the 200 meters. Hopefully Spencer (McCorkel) can make it in the vault. That would be a great experience for a freshman.”
Daniel LaCava, Chris Bilbrew, Andy McClary and Micky Cobrin combined for a second-place finish and the automatic time of 9:30.08. Paced by the Arkansas Track Club team of former Hogs Josphat Boit, Wallace Spearmon, James Hatch and Alistair Cragg, the Arkansas quartet motored around the track to secure their trip to the NCAA Championships.
“It was another great night for the DMR”, Cobrin said. “Daniel (LaCava) led off with a great leg. Andy (McClary) had a great 800 meters. He split 1:48 which is a huge PR for him. Daniel had a big PR in the 1,200 meters, too. My teammates set it up great for me and put pressure on me to do my job. It felt good to get this race in and get ready for Nationals next week.”
LaCava ran a 2:54.8 1,200-meter leg to hand off to Chris Bilbrew, who split a 48.4 400-meter leg. Andy McClary was up next for the 800-meter leg. He split a personal-best 1:48.8 before handing off to Micky Cobrin, Arkansas’ anchor. Cobrin split a 3:58.1 to secure the automatic time.
Arkansas’ DMR time is the second-fastest on the national list and is the fourth-fastest time in school history.
J-Mee Samuels nearly secured his trip to Nationals with a season- and personal-best time of 21.04 to win the 200 meters. His chances at qualifying are excellent as his time ranks 11th on the national list and is the sixth-fastest time in UA school history.
“Every meet I have clocked a faster time in the 200 meters,” Samuels said. “It was just a matter of time before I ran quick enough to get into Nationals. I had to run faster the 21.2. The 60 meters has been tough on me this season and it hasn’t been progressive like the 200 meters has. I have more faith in my 60 meters than my 200 meters but I’m a competitor so I’m always going out there to win.”
Daniel Quinn set a season and personal best in the long jump. He won the event with a leap of 25-2.5. His marks ranks 20th on the NCAA list and his fate in the long jump will be decided by the NCAA Committee Monday night. Quinn’s chances in the triple jump are still very much alive with his 10th-best mark of 52-5.5.
Spencer McCorkel bettered his season mark in the pole vault to 17-3. He finished third in the event with his provisional-qualifying mark. He remains ranked at No. 18.
The NCAA will release the accepted entries list for the NCAA Championships Monday evening. Check www.hogwired.com for latest in Arkansas Track and Field. The NCAA Championships, held at the Randal Tyson Track Center, will begin Friday, March 14.
Download: Last Chance – PDF.pdf
