Robert Black

Sullins Heaves Weight Past 12-Year Record

Day One Results

NASHVILLE — Friday evening saw the fourth-ranked Arkansas men’s track and field team continue to successfully advance in their development led by a program-record performance in the weight throw by Erich Sullins at the Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville.

Only in his second competition season for the Razorbacks, Sullins opened up his weight throw series in the second flight with two tosses in the 16-meter range. He got his break on the third attempt, throwing the weight out to a mark of 18.40m/60-4 to advance through to the finals. Granted three more chances to better his mark, he wasted no time doing so, improving to a new career best and Razorback record of 18.56m/60-10 3/4 on his first attempt in the final round – good for third place among collegiate competitors and fourth overall. Prior to Sullins’ toss, Arkansas’ weight throw record was owned by Tony Ugoh who set the mark of 60-4.50 in 2005.

“[Erich] Sullins did a great job tonight,” assistant coach Travis Geopfert said. “Any time you have a personal best and school record, it’s something to be proud of. He’s a highly motivated young man that wants to continue to get better.”

Additional Notable Performances

  • High Jump: Ken LeGassey and Brendon Rivera both finished among the top eight best performers of the day, placing fifth and seventh, respectively.

Day Two Meet Info

Date/Time: Saturday, Jan. 21 / 10 a.m. CT
Teams: Arizona, Arkansas, Furman, Georgia Tech, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Mississippi State, Samford, South Alabama, South Carolina, Southern Illinois, Southern Mississippi, Tennessee State, UAB, Vanderbilt and Western Kentucky
Venue: Vanderbilt Multipurpose Facility
Important Links: Meet Schedule / Live Results

The Razorbacks will return to the oval tomorrow morning at 10:45 a.m. as Noah Findlay, Chris Mooneyham and Aidan Swain take on the mile run.

Vanderbilt Invitational Day One
January 20, 2017
Vanderbilt Multipurpose Facility (Nashville, Tenn.)

High Jump
5. Ken LeGassey – 2.12m/6-11.50
7. Brendon Rivera – 2.06m/6-9

Pole Vault
11. Brad Culp – 4.75m/15-7
12. Lane Austell – 4.60m/15-1
— Gabe Moore
— Derek Jacobus

Weight Throw
4. Erich Sullins – 18.56m/60-10 3/4

For more information on Arkansas track and field including in-meet updates, follow @RazorbackTF on Twitter.