Mission accomplished in the 5K

November 7, 2014

SEATTLE, Wash. – Arkansas Razorback women’s track and field picked up three NCAA qualifiers on day one of the UW Invitational in Seattle, Wash. on Friday.

"Mission accomplished for us tonight," head coach Lance Harter said. "The hardest part about this trip was getting her after numerous re-routes in the airport yesterday. For all three to get the provisional time and to set personal bests, I couldn’t ask for anything more. We come to this meet to get performances like this. This is a great meet to run at."

Razorbacks Catherine White (16:14.62), Denise Bargiachi (16:21.14) and Christine Kalmer (16:35.41) combined for an Arkansas 3-4-5 finish, respectively, in the 5,000 meters. All three times are under the provisional qualifying mark of 16:45 and all three student-athletes clocked personal bests in the event.

"I’m happy to get this NCAA qualifier out of the way so now I can concentrate on getting the provisional time in the 3K," White said. "Really I’m just happy to be back on the track after being sick last weekend and unable to race. It feels good to be back at my normal distances after running a mile to the open the season. I know there is still a lot of work to be done but this is a time to be happy about."

Additionally, White ranks third nationally and leads the SEC by more than a minute. Bargiachi ranks fourth nationally and second in the SEC. Kalmer ranks sixth nationally and third in the SEC.

In State College, Pa., members of Arkansas’ sprints, hurdles and jumps crew competed in day one of the Penn State National. Freshman Whitney Jones had another solid day of competition with a fifth-place finish in the long jump (19-5.5) and an 11th-place finish in the semi-finals of the 60-meter dash (7.58). Jones clocked a prelim time of 7.54, a personal best, to qualify for the semis.

Peter-Gaye Beckford also competed in the long jump. She finished second in the field of 34 jumpers with a leap of 20-1.5. Her jump is a season best, an improved NCAA provisional mark and ranks third in the SEC.

Events will resume Saturday at both the UW Invitational and the Penn State National on Saturday. For complete results and more information on Arkansas Athletics, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.