Lady'Backs set for title defense

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Arkansas Lady Razorback track and field team looks to win its fourth Southeastern Conference outdoor track and field title this weekend and its second in a row when it competes at the SEC Championships in Nashville, Tenn., beginning Thursday afternoon.

Arkansas shocked many on its way to a conference crown in 2004 and returns several of the faces that made it happen a year ago including junior Maureen Scott who won the steeplechase and senior Erica Sigmont, the 1,500-meter runner-up. Added to the mix are a host of individuals who have stepped up their game in recent weeks and are eager to showcase their talents.

“We are in for a dogfight,” Arkansas head coach Lance Harter said. “It will be hard for us to repeat as conference champions. Tennessee won the indoor title at conference and the national championship and South Carolina won just about every wagon wheel at Penn two weeks ago. For us to be successful, well have to score a lot of points in the distance races.”

After a year away from the tried and true game plan of stacking the distance races, Arkansas returns to the formula in 2005. The Lady’Backs send 14 of their 26 athletes to the line in races of 800 to 10,000 meters and look especially strong in the steeplechase, 5,000 and 10,000-meter runs where Arkansas athletes dominate the conference’s top 10 lists.

Action for the Lady Razorbacks begins on Thursday evening when Beyonka McDowell and Whitney Anderson line up for the 100-meter hurdles portion of the heptathlon. Competing in four events Thursday, McDowell is attempting to make it a conference sweep of the multi events as she took the indoor pentathlon title in late February. Both Arkansas competitors are attempting their first multi-event competitions of the outdoor season.

For more information about Lady Razorback track or about Arkansas women’s athletics, visit www.ladybacks.com.