Six event wins for men's track

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 5 Arkansas Razorback men’s track and field team picked up six event wins at the Arkansas Invitational at the Randal Tyson Track Center on Friday.

"This is definitely a good start," head coach Chris Bucknam said. "We still have a lot of work to do but I like the effort I saw today out of our guys. They were competing hard and winning their events. It’s great to see Scott MacPherson back on the track for us. He battled in the mile and he’s a great leader for us. Terry Prentice also had a good day. He had three PRs and they add up to a lot of points in the multi events."

Senior Scott MacPherson outkicked SEC Cross Country Champion Barnabus Kirui of Ole Miss to win the mile. MacPherson crossed the line in a personal-best time of 4:08.22 (No. 3 in the NCAA) and paced his teammates to a 1-2-4-5-6-7 finish for Arkansas in the event. Freshman Eric Fernandez was second (4:09.37), freshman Scott Gillespie was fourth (4:11.40), sophomore Lane Boyer was fifth (4:11.91), junior Patrick Russell was sixth (4:12.37) and freshman Dylan Roberts was seventh (4:37.77).

"It feels great to be back on the track and racing again," MacPherson said. "I have a lot of goals for this season and getting a good mile race in is definitely a step in the right direction. I’m excited for this season and the potential of this team. It’s my last season so I’m definitely going to make it count."

Senior Dorian Ulrey paced a 1-3 Arkansas finish in the 800 meters. He clocked a winning time of 1:52.32 (No. 5 in the NCAA) with freshman Leoman Momoh following in third place. Momoh cross the line in a time of 1:55.69.

Freshman Omar Abdi won the 1,000 meters in his Razorback debut. He clocked a personal-best time of 2:27.62 and paced Arkansas to a 1-2-3-4 finish in the event. Freshman Drew Butler was second (2:27.92), freshman Rob Redwine was third (2:29.09) and junior Chris Bilbrew was fourth (2:30.35).

Freshman Brede Ellingsen earned a silver finish in the high jump. Making his Arkansas debut as a mid-year addition to the roster, he cleared the NCAA provisional-qualifying height of 7-0.25 and is tied for fourth for the NCAA’s best high jump.

Sophomore Terry Prentice recorded personal bests in three events on Friday. He won the shot put with a toss of 39-0.25, finished sixth in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.43 and finished sixth in the pole vault with a clearance of 13-7.25.

In the 60-meter prelims, senior Alain Bailey finished eighth with a 7.06, sophomore R.J. Evans was ninth with a 7.10 and junior Randy Parker was 10th (7.17). Parker and Evans also ran the 200 meters. Parker was ninth with a time of 23.26 and Evans was 11th (23.58).

Sophomore Andrew Pennington finished fourth in the 60-meter hurdles, clocking an 8.33, just off his best of 8.31. Senior Chad Burnett was fourth in the pole vault clearing 14-7.25.

Making their Arkansas debut today were freshmen Hunter Bourke (400 meters, 49.11), Caleb Cross (60-meter hurdles, 8.35), Brandon Heeger (weight throw, 51-2.25), Alex Kelly (400 meters, 50.02) and Matt Kirbos (shot put, 36-0.75).

Download: 01-08-827pm-ArkansasInviteResults.pdf