Robert Black

Hogs Endure Through Blazing Temps

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Competing in scorching conditions the Arkansas women’s track and field team managed to advance four of its six, day one entries out of the first round of their respective events at the 2017 USATF Outdoor Championships in Sacramento.

On to the Next Round
Opening the day for Hogs, Chrishuna Williams earned a spot in Friday’s 800-meter semifinals as the third-fastest finisher in heat three. Running out of lane four, Williams clocked 2 minutes, 3.20 seconds over the two-lap sprint, edging out Virginia Tech’s Hanna Green for the final automatic-qualifying position.

All-American quarter-miler Daina Harper was next to punch her ticket to the second round, completing the 400 as the fourth-best performer of the day in a personal best 51.15. Harper will race the 400 semifinals tomorrow at 9:16 p.m. CT.

“My coach [associate head coach Chris Johnson] told me that I deserved to be here and I went into the race with that mentality,” Harper said. “I had a great week of workouts leading up to this so I went into my race extremely confident and knew all I needed to do was execute and I did just that. Going into tomorrow, I just plan to stay hydrated, trust my fitness, and know that I deserve to be on that track with some of the best in the world.”

ProHog Jessica Kamilos survived the steeplechase first round, running the fastest non-automatic qualifying time with 9:49.01. The Arkansas program record-holder finished sixth in heat two and 11th overall.

Recent NCAA national runner-up Nikki Hiltz was the last Razorback to advance out of the preliminary rounds, finishing sixth overall in the 1,500 out of heat three. Hiltz closed in 60.99 seconds over the final 400, moving up from fifth place to second position to finish right behind Olympian Shannon Rowbury.

“With 200 to go I was in 5th and I just told myself to make it to the straightaway and catch as many people as possible,” Hiltz siad. “I ‘gave life’ and it worked out pretty well.”

Harper and Williams will be the only two Razorbacks to return to the track tomorrow evening with the rest of the semifinal rounds scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

Date/Time: Friday, June 23, 9:16 p.m. CT | Saturday, June 24, 12:45 p.m. CT| Sunday June 25, 1 p.m. CT
Venue: Sacramento State University (Hornet Stadium)
Important Links: Live Results | Start Lists
Broadcast Schedule: NBC

Arkansas USATF Event Schedule
Friday, June 23
9:16 p.m. – 400m Semifinals (D. Harper)
10:28 p.m. – 800m Semifinals (C. Williams)

Saturday, June 24
12:45 p.m. – Hept. 100mH (T. Brooks, A. Gochenour, P. Stumbaugh)
2:00 p.m. – Hept. High Jump (T. Brooks, A. Gochenour, P. Stumbaugh)
3:22 p.m. – 400m Finals (D. Harper)
4:00 p.m. – Hept. Shot Put (T. Brooks, A. Gochenour, P. Stumbaugh)
4:12 p.m. – 1,500 Finals (N. Hiltz)
4:24 p.m. – Steeplechase Finals (J. Kamilos)
5:04 p.m. – Hept. 200m (T. Brooks, A. Gochenour, P. Stumbaugh)
7:49 p.m. – 3,000m Jr. Finals (M. Reed, T. Werner)

Sunday, June 25
1:00 p.m. – Hept. Long Jump (T. Brooks, A. Gochenour, P. Stumbaugh)
2:00 p.m. – Hept. Javelin (T. Brooks, A. Gochenour, P. Stumbaugh)
2:00 p.m. – Pole Vault Finals (S. Morris, L. Weeks, T. Weeks)
3:28 p.m. – Hept. 800m (T. Brooks, A. Gochenour, P. Stumbaugh)
4:06 p.m. – 800m Finals (C. Williams)

Italicized events require qualification.

For more information on Arkansas track and field including in-meet updates, follow @RazorbackTF on Twitter.