Sprint crew picks up qualifiers

AUSTIN, Texas – Arkansas’ sprint crew picked up NCAA Championships qualifiers for Razorback men’s track and field at the NCAA West preliminary rounds on Saturday, at Mike A. Myers Stadium, in Austin, Texas.

"This meet is a reflection of our entire outdoor season," head coach Chris Bucknam said. "We had some individual bright spots and some disappointments. There is no question that anyone on the team or the staff feels comfortable with our results this outdoor season. More than anything, we are a victim of youth and inexperience. These are the cards we were dealt. With that said, we will continue to recruit and develop our kids the best way we know how, with hard work and a commitment to building a championship program in all three sports."

Arkansas’ 4×100-meter relay advanced to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore. Freshman Caleb Cross, freshman Hunter Bourke, junior LaShawn Butler and freshman Cobi Hamilton finished fourth in their heat and 11th overall with a season-best time of 39.95. Hamilton picked up three places on the anchor leg.

Butler also advanced to the NCAA Championships in the 200 meters. He finished fourth in his heat and 12th overall. He clocked a season- and personal-best time of 20.80.

Cross, Butler, junior Chris Bilbrew and sophomore Ben Skidmore finished 16th in the 4×400-meter relay. They combined for a season-best 3:08.18. Butler, in his third race of the day, clocked a second-leg split of 47.0 and moved the Razorbacks to third place with his run. They did not advance to Eugene.

Sophomore Justin Holmes finished 41st in the discus with a toss of 150-8. Sophomore Tarik Batchelor finished 28th in the triple jump with a leap of 49-6.5. They did not advance in their respective events.

Arkansas will be represented by five student-athletes in three events at the NCAA Championships, in Eugene, Ore., June 9-12.