Razorback Roundup -- Nov. 16

RAZORBACK ROUNDUPNov. 16, 2009BASEBALL: Arkansas begins its 2010 season with a three-game series against Ball State at Baum Stadium Feb. 19-21. The Razorbacks play their first seven games at home.MEN’S BASKETBALL (1-0): The Razorbacks blew out Alcorn State in their season opener, 130-68. Sophomore Rotnei Clarke had a career night when he scored an Arkansas record 51 points while also setting Arkansas and Southeastern Conference records for three-point field goals in a game with 13. The Razorbacks scored a Bud Walton Arena record 71 points in the first half of the contest and never looked back. Four Razorbacks scored in double figures with newcomers Jemal Farmer (28-12) and Marshawn Powell (17-11) each recording double-doubles. The Razorbacks head to the road for their next contest, a Tuesday night affair against No. 17/23 Louisville at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo., as part of the Hall of Fame Showcase. Arkansas is back at Bud Walton Arena on Friday against Appalachian State.WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (1-0): The Razorbacks opened the season with a win over Alcorn State in Hot Springs on Sunday. Ashley Daniels led all scorers with a career-best 21 points. Freshman Sarah Watkins added 20 points, all in the second half. The Razorbacks travel to SMU Wednesday and open the home schedule Sunday, hosting East Tennessee State at 3 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena.MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY: No. 22 Arkansas picked up its first NCAA South Central Regional title under second-year head coach Chris Bucknam on Saturday at Baylor University. Arkansas was led by a 1-2 finish from junior Dorian Ulrey and freshman Solomon Haile. The Razorbacks finished 1-2-7-16-22 for a total of 47 points. Texas finished second and Lamar was third. Arkansas and Texas earn the automatic bids to the NCAA Championship. Arkansas won its 30th NCAA South Central Regional Championship and has won 30 of 32 since 1978. Arkansas competes next at the NCAA Championship on Monday, Nov. 23, in Terre Haute, Ind.WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY: No. 28 Arkansas picked up a third-place finish at the NCAA South Central Regional Championships at Baylor on Saturday. Arkansas finished third with 66 points. No. 25 SMU won the team title with 43 points and Baylor was second with 54. SMU and Baylor receive the automatic bids to the NCAA Championship. Arkansas will learn its fate Monday when the at-large bids are announced. Freshman Alyssa Allison and junior Miranda Walker earned individual trips to the NCAA Championship as top four individuals not included on automatic qualifying teams. Arkansas’ individuals compete next at the NCAA Championship on Monday, Nov. 23, in Terre Haute, Ind.FOOTBALL (6-4, 2-4): Arkansas takes on Mississippi State on Saturday at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock at 11:21 a.m. The Mississippi State game is the final home contest of the season for the Razorbacks. Arkansas is 5-1 at home this year and has won four straight, which is tied for the third-longest home win streak in the SEC. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network. MEN’S GOLF: The Razorbacks are off until Feb. 14-16 when they compete at the Battle at the Beach in Newport Beach, Calif.WOMEN’S GOLF: The Razorbacks are idle until the Central District Invitational Feb. 22-23, in Parrish, Fla. A few members will compete in amateur events during the winter break and those will be updated as they become available.GYMNASTICS: Arkansas has added one signee to its roster for the upcoming 2010 season while four gymnasts who combined for seven individual state championships and 10 regional titles in 2009 have signed for next year. Natalie Bohonsky of Plano, Texas, a two-time Junior Olympic national qualifier, is joining the team at mid-term this year. At the 2008 J.O. National Championship, she finished seventh on bars. In 2007, she was seventh on floor, eighth on vault and 11th in the all-around. Incoming Razorbacks for 2011 are Katherine Grable of Oshkosh, Wis.; Shelby Salmon of Noblesville, Ind.; Scarlett Williams of Baton Rouge, La.; and Bailee Zumwalde of St. Cloud, Minn. Grable won three state and four regional titles last year, Salmon two regional, Williams four state and two regional, and Zumwalde won two regional championships.SWIMMING AND DIVING (4-1, 2-1): Arkansas returns to action this week when it travels to West Lafayette, Ind., for the Purdue Invitational, Friday through Sunday. The Hogs are swimming against Missouri State, Ohio State, Louisville, Michigan and the host Boilermakers in the three-day event.WOMEN’S TENNIS: Arkansas competes again on Jan. 23 against Oklahoma State and St. Louis at George M. Billingsley Tennis Center and Dills Indoor Stadium.MEN’S TENNIS: The Razorbacks return to action Jan. 17 to start the spring season against the Washington Huskies in Fayetteville.VOLLEYBALL (12-16, 6-11): Jasmine Norton was named the SEC Freshman of the Week for a fifth time, the most by a player in a single season since the inception of the award in 2005. On the court, the Razorbacks split weekend matches on the road at Mississippi State and Alabama. In the opener, Arkansas dropped a four-set decision to the Bulldogs, 25-15, 24-14, 21-25, 25-13. In the loss, Norton had a match-high 15 kills and added 10 digs for a double-double. Fellow freshman Cassie Clarke came off the bench to dish out 22 assists. Kristin Seaton and Amanda Anderson added nine and eight kills, respectively. In the weekend finale, Norton paced the Razorbacks with 24 kills and a career-high 21 digs in a five-set victory over Alabama, 25-18, 25-17, 20-25, 25-27, 15-13. Clarke made her first start and had 38 assists. Seaton chipped in 11 kills. The Razorbacks return home for a Friday matchup against Auburn and a Nov. 25 contest with Georgia.OLYMPIC SPORTS PRESS CONFERENCE:Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the Barnhill Arena interview room.