Nkosinza Balumbu earns weekly honor

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas Razorback triple jumper Nkosinza Balumbu was named the Southeastern Conference’s Field Event Athlete of the Week, it was announced by the conference office on Tuesday.

Balumbu won the triple jump at the Arkansas Invitational with a mark of 53-0.75. His mark is an NCAA automatic qualifier and marks the first time in his career that he has automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships in his first meet of the season.

His jump of 53-0.75 currently leads the SEC by nearly three feet, leads the collegiate list and USA Track and Field’s national list. He is the first Razorback to automatically qualify for the NCAA Championships this season.

Balumbu, the 2008 NCAA Indoor and 2008 Mideast Regional Triple Jump Champion, is a five-time All-American, three-time all-region performer and five-time SEC Champion. He holds an indoor best of 54-3.25 and an outdoor best of 54-4, No. 9 all-time at Arkansas.

Balumbu will compete in the long jump and the 60-meter hurdles as Arkansas track and field hosts the Razorback Invitational this weekend at the Randal Tyson Track Center. For more information, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.