Eight Lady'Backs to compete at NCAA

FAYETTEVILLE – Senior Jessica Cousins highlights a field of eight University of Arkansas Lady Razorback track and field athletes who were accepted into five events for the 2007 NCAA Indoor Championships Monday night.

Cousins broke the University record in the 400 meters twice at the Southeastern Conference Championships two weeks ago has been accepted into the same field at the NCAA meet. She is one of five Lady Razorbacks entered in individual events along with sophomore Christine Kalmer (3,000), senior Jodi Unger (pole vault), junior Dacia Barr and junior Stephanie Irwin (pole vault). The Lady Razorbacks also qualified two relay teams to the meet which added junior Tominque Boatright, junior Paige Farrell and senior Sasha Rolle to the Arkansas contingent.

“There really aren’t many surprises as to who got in,” Arkansas head coach Lance Harter said. “We expected those that made the field to be in the meet and our other athletes who qualified but didn’t get in we felt were too far down on the lists to be included. Now it’s time to get to work and prepare for Friday afternoon. We have a very formidable group participating at the NCAA Championships this weekend and feel like a top 20 finish is very attainable.”

The Lady Razorback 4×400-meter relay holds the team’s highest ranking at third heading into the weekend’s event while Cousins, Kalmer and Irwin each have marks ranked fifth in the nation. Unger’s pole vault ranks seventh and the distance medley relay stands at eighth. Of Arkansas’ seven athletes and relays qualified for the meet, only Barr holds a mark outside the top eight competing at the championships.

One of the things Arkansas brings to the meet in 2007 which it has not had for the past couple of seasons is experience. Of the eight athletes scheduled to compete, four have earned all-America honors indoors and all have participated in either the NCAA indoor or outdoor championships.

The NCAA Championships begin on Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. with the men’s heptathlon. For more information about Lady Razorback track or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.