Martin Gains Regional Qualification in Triple Jump at TCU Invitational

FT. WORTH, Texas – Arkansas sent a small, young squad to the TCU Invitational in search of regional qualifying performances, but was only able to come away with one at the Lowdon Track and Field Complex on Saturday afternoon.

Junior Greg Martin posted a personal-best mark of 50-3.25 in the triple jump for the NCAA Mideast regional qualification. Martin usually concentrates on the high jump, but his efforts in the horizontal jump earned him third place.

The day started for Arkansas with senior Eric Gross running in the 1,500 meters. He picked up third place with a time of 4:00.57. The next running event was the 800 meters with junior Brian Roe and freshman Daniel LaCava. A tightly packed group of competitors prevented the duo from gaining solid positions and Roe crossed the line in fourth (1:51.54), while LaCava was fifth (1:52.09).

Three Razorback freshmen lined up in the 100 meters for the first time during the outdoor season, with J-Mee Samuels turning in UA’s top time of 10.65. He finished seventh in the first heat, while Jeremy Dodson followed in eighth (10.89). Cedric Zellner was in the third heat, placing sixth with a clocking of 10.90.

Later in the afternoon they all took to the track for the 200 meters. Dodson was the one who clocked the fastest time out of the Hogs as he finished second in his heat with a 21.44, while Samuels came in fifth (21.53). Zellner, who was in a different heat placed seventh with a time of 22.45.

Seniors Brad Dittoe and David Wittenmyer just missed the regional cutoff time of 52.51 in the 400-meter hurdles as they ran in the same heat. Dittoe came in fourth (52.70) and Wittenmyer was fifth (52.75).

In field events freshman Daniel Quinn also barely missed the regional qualification of 24-1.00 in the long jump. The McKinney, Texas native posted a 24-0.25 for fifth place overall. Freshman Nkosinza Balumbu, who normally competes in the triple jump, had his try in the long jump and came away with a measurement of 23-1.75 for ninth place.

Senior Tony Ugoh battled shifting winds to record a mark of 162-06 in the discus throw. His performance placed him at seventh. Redshirt freshman Brent Rosson garnered runner-up honors in the high jump with a clearance of 6-4.75.

The historic Penn Relays are next on the schedule for third-ranked Arkansas. The Razorbacks will travel to Philadelphia, Penn., on April 27-29 in hopes of bringing home the coveted wagon wheels given to first-place finishers.