Hamilton MacPherson clock NCAA times

FAYETTEVILLE – Freshman Cobi Hamilton and senior Scott MacPherson picked up NCAA provisional qualifiers for No. 8 Arkansas Razorback men’s track and field on day two of the Tyson Invitational.

"Overall, I think we had a good weekend," head coach Chris Bucknam said. "We got some things done and got guys qualified that we needed. We are going to take some time now and get ready for SECs. Cobi Hamilton qualifying in the 200 meters is a big breakthrough for him. He has his qualifying time so he can concentrate on training. Scott MacPherson is one of the toughest distance runners in the country. It means so much to him every time he puts his jersey on to race. 13:51 last night and 7:58 today, that’s a great 5K/3K double for him and that’s what he wants to do at NCAAs."

Hamilton finished 11th in the 200 meters. He clocked a personal-best and NCAA provisional-qualifying time of 21.16. His time ranks No. 5 in the SEC and second among freshmen. Junior LaShawn Butler, also competing in the 200 meters, finished 20th with a season- and personal-best time of 21.36.

MacPherson finished second overall, behind former Hog Josphat Boit, and first among collegians in the invitational 3,000 meters. He clocked an improved NCAA provisional-qualifying and personal-best time of 7:58.18. His time ranks No. 2 in the SEC and No. 8 in the NCAA.

Sophomore Rick Elliott, also competing in the invitational 3,000 meters, finished 11th with a time of 8:24.84. Sophomore Ben Skidmore, junior Chris Bilbrew, freshman Caleb Cross and freshman Hunter Bourke combined for a time of 3:12.21 to finish 12th in the 4×400-meter relay. The time is season best.

In the field events, junior Chad Burnett finish tied for eighth in the collegiate pole vault with a height of 15-1. Freshman Brede Ellingsen finished eighth in the invitational high jump with his clearance of 6-10.75. Freshman Justin Holmes was 18th in the shot put with a toss of 47-0.25.

The Razorbacks will compete next when they host the 2010 SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships, Feb. 26-28.

Download: TysonFinalResults.pdf