Last Chance Meets Next Up for Track Hogs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Coming off their 2007 SEC Indoor title win, the Razorbacks are desperate for an NCAA automatic-qualifying time and to improve the provisional marks all ready posted this season. They’ll get to stay in Fayetteville this weekend for the Arkansas Last Chance, Fri., March 2. Field events will begin at 12 p.m. with running events at 3 p.m.

While most of the team will be staying on the Hill for the Arkansas Last Chance, a select group will be traveling to the Alex Wilson Invitational on the campus of Notre Dame to compete in the distance medley relay. The event will be run at 8:15 p.m. on Friday, March 2.

12 Razorbacks have recorded 32 NCAA provisional-qualifying marks in 10 events and are still in the hunt for their first automatic mark. Peter Kosgei is currently sitting at No. 8 and No. 9 in the 5,000 meters and 3,000 meters, respectively, on the national performance list. Nkosinza Balumbu improved his chances of making the NCAA Championships with his leap of 52-2 at the SEC Championships, currently the eighth-best mark in the triple jump this season.

Scott MacPherson (5,000 meters) and Alain Bailey (long jump) are also on the NCAA bubble as they sit at No. 12 and No. 10 in their respective events.

Arkansas is sitting at No. 12 in the USTFCCCA poll and at No. 13 in the Trackwire 25. Four other SEC teams are also listed in the USTFCCCA poll with Auburn at No. 3, LSU at No. 8, Tennessee at No. 14 and Florida at No. 15.

Florida State remains in first place with 47 points in the Trackwire 25. Wisconsin also stays at No. 2 with 44 points and Texas rounds out the top three with 38 points. Among the SEC schools, Auburn ranks at No. 4, Tennessee is ranked No. 6 while LSU sits at No. 9, Florida stands at No. 11 and Georgia is No. 19.

Also released on Tuesday are the Dandy Dozen rankings. Six Razorbacks are ranked in five events. Eight-time All-American Peter Kosgei fell to No. 11 in the 3,000 meters and 5,000 meters. After a runner-up finish in the mile at the SEC Championships, Adam Perkins rejoined the event rankings in the No. 11 spot.

In the field events, Alain Bailey, who earned runner-up honors at the SEC Championships, moved to No. 2 in the long jump while teammate Mychael Stewart is sitting at No. 11. All-American triple jumper Nkosinza Balumbu, who set a season best 52-2 and won the SEC triple jump, remains at second in the standings.

For the schedule, complete details and live results of the Arkansas Last Chance Qualifier, visit www.flashresults.com/arkansas.