Sutej runner-up at NCAA pole vault

EUGENE, Ore. – Sophomore Tina Sutej made history in the pole vault for No. 9 Arkansas Razorback women’s track and field on day three of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, in Eugene, Ore. The University of Oregon is hosting the event at Hayward Field.

Arkansas picked up three All-America honors on Friday and is sitting in 13th place with 13 points after three days of competition.

"We have points on the board and that’s all that matters right now," head coach Lance Harter said. "Our goal was a top-10 finish and we are right on pace for that. Because of (assistant coach) Bryan Compton’s training, our vaulters are prepared for any type of obstacle that might happen during a competition. I think they were very well prepared for this meet and they faced a lot of variables in the wind and the weather. Tina Sutej had a great competition. She gave (eventual winner) Kylie Hutson of Indiana State a run for her money at the end. She had some great attempts at the higher bars."

Sophomore Tina Sutej is the NCAA runner-up in the pole vault. She cleared a personal-best height of 14-5.25. Her jump is an improved Slovenian National record and the No. 2 jump in school history. Her placing matches former Hog Jodi Unger’s 2007 runner-up finish as the best by a Razorback pole vaulter at an NCAA Championship meet.

"I’m so happy and so excited," Sutej said. "I’m really pleased with the height I cleared. I haven’t been jumping well this outdoor season so I’m thrilled to get a personal best. I’m really happy with my jumping today. I had a lot of first-attempt clearances so I had a good rhythm going."

Junior Shelise Williams finished fifth in the final of the 400 meters. She clocked a time of 52.67 to earn the sixth All-America honor of her career. Freshman Regina George was eighth in the 400 meters. Her time of 54.14 earned her the third All-America honor of her young career.

"I think I worked too hard on the back stretch and it got the best of me," Williams said. "But I’m really happy with my finish. It was a tough field and I’m just happy to make the final. It was great to have Regina George in that race with me. I’m so proud of her. I couldn’t have asked for a better season and it’s not over yet. The hard work is paying off."

Senior Katie Stripling finished 11th in the pole vault with a clearance of 13-5.25. Senior Janice Keppler was 17th with a height of 12-9.5.

Competition will resume at 1:40 p.m. CT Saturday for the Razorbacks with the 4×400-meter relay.