Hog Track and Field Inks Five During Spring Signing Period

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas cross country and track and field head coach John McDonnell announced the addition of five student-athletes for the 2007-08 season. Lane Boyer (Fredonia, Kan.), Luke Laird (Garden, Kan.), Alex Neff (The Woodlands, Texas), Eric Thompson (Herrin, Ill.) and Chris Bilbrew (Smiths Station, Ala.) will be some of the new Razorback faces next fall.

Lane Boyer, of Fredonia (Kan.) high school, is a 1,600- and 3,200-meters specialist who holds personal bests of 4:17.40 and 9:08.57, respectively. His 9:08.57 is 11th on the Kansas high school all-time list. He is a three-time 3A state cross country champion (2004-06). On the track, he has won state titles in the 2006 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters and the 2005 3,200 meters.

Alex Neff, of The Woodlands (Texas) high school, is another 1,600- and 3,200-meters specialist. He holds personal bests of 4:15.83 and 9:03.33. He finished fourth at the 2006 5A state championships in the 3,200 meters. Also in 2006, he finished ninth at the 5A state cross country meet (15:43.85) and 14th at the Nike Team Nationals.

Chris Bilbrew, of Smiths Station (Ala.) high school, has run the 400 meters, 800 meters and 1,600 meters this season. In the 400 meters, he holds a best of 47.68, in the 800 meters a 1:51.01 and in the 1,600 meters a 4:20. At the 2006 6A state championships, he won the 800 meters and finished third in the 400 meters. He also finished 10th at the Alabama state cross country championships.

Eric Thompson, of Herrin (Ill.) high school, has competed in the high and long jumps. Holding a high jump personal best of 7-2, he was the 2005 and 2006 Class A state champion. He also won the 2006 Class A state championship in the long jump with a mark of 22-11.5.

Luke Laird is the next in a long line of Kansan javelin throwers to compete for the Hogs. Laird finished third at the 2006 5A state championships with a toss of 185-4. He holds a personal best of 199-6.

They will join Spencer McCorkel (Bryant, Ark.), Duncan Phillips (College Station, Texas) and Michael Chinchar (Seattle, Wash.) who inked their commitment to Arkansas during the fall signing period.