Successful Day for Lady?Backs at Texas Relays

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A little wet weather didn’t affect the Arkansas Lady Razorback track and field team from posting a successful day of competition on day three of Texas Relays. The Cardinal and White picked up three regional-qualifying marks and advanced two relays to Saturday’s finals.

"Everyone comes to Texas looking for warm weather, especially at this time of year," associate head coach Rolando Greene said. "To get up in the morning and see hail with temperatures in the 30’s, that’s hard to compete in. To see the way our kids executed and competed, I was really pleased with their efforts."

A solid outing for the relays, Arkansas clocked regional-qualifying times and advanced to the finals in the 4×100-meter and 4×400-meter relays.

"To see how easily we advanced in the 4×100 and the 4×400 relays, I was really happy with that," Greene said. "They are going to rest tonight and get ready to compete again tomorrow. I think we can win the 4×400-meter relay if they come out ready to compete and are back on their feet."

Dominique Lauderdale, Peter-Gaye Beckford, Tominque Boatright and Shelise Williams combined for a 4×100-meter clocking of 45.61. The time ranks sixth in the SEC.

Courtenay Brown, S. Williams, Devon Williams and Boatright combined for a 4×400-meter clocking of 3:41.95. The time ranks third in the SEC.

Beckford ended day three of her banner competition with a second-place finish in the "A" flight of the long jump. Her mark, 20-1.75, is a regional-qualifying jump and was the collegiate best in the event. Her jump also ranks third in the SEC.

"It has been a very good meet for Peter-Gaye," Greene said. "Her performances are a testament to her fitness level. Peter is in great shape. She did seven events in the heptathlon and came back to run on the 4×100-meter relay and nearly win the "A" flight of the long jump. If this weekend is any indication of things to come, I’m very excited."

Beckford, who finished eighth in the heptathlon on Thursday with a provisional-qualifying point total (5,081), also recorded a regional-qualifying mark in the long jump within the heptathlon with a leap of 20-0.5. Beckford also has a regional-qualifying mark in the javelin (144-3). Within the heptathlon, she won the long jump, javelin and shot put.

The Lady’Backs ended the day with the sprint medley relay. Lauderdale, Williams, Boatright and Paige Farrell combined for a time of 3:54.54, good for a fourth-place finish. Lauderdale (23.6) and Williams (24.2) took the two 200-meter legs. Boatright ran the 400-meter leg (53.2) and Farrell anchored with the 800 meters (2:12).

At the Stanford Invitational, Megan Jackson finished 11th in a deep 3,000-meter steeplechase field with a clocking of 10:34.70, a regional-qualifying mark and a personal best. Christine Kalmer dipped below the regional-qualifying mark in the 5,000 meters. She finished ninth in a packed field with a clocking of 16:22.51. Catherine White was in the same heat of the 5,000 meters and she also hit the regional-qualifying time with her clocking of 16:29.88, good for a 13th-place finish. In the 10,000-meter run, Denise Bargiachi clocked a time of 33:55.73, an NCAA provisional-qualifying mark, to finish 12th.

At the Missouri Southern Invitational, Jennifer Harper finished third in the 3,000 meters with a time of 10:15.67. Ashley Williams was seventh with a time of 10:35.37. Erin Gray finished ninth (10:52.56). Michelle Rossio finished second in the shot put (45-3.5), finished second in the hammer throw (171-3) and won the discus (143-8).

For complete details of Lady’Back track and field, visit www.ladybacks.com.