Top-Ranked Razorbacks Host John McDonnell Invitational

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Feeling refreshed after taking a week off, the top-ranked University of Arkansas women’s track and field team looks to get back in the swing of competition with this weekend’s John McDonnell Invitational at John McDonnell Field. The women’s heptathlon will highlight Thursday’s action starting at 3 p.m., the women’s long jump kicking off day two action on Friday at 12:30 p.m. and the women’s hammer throw starting the final day of the meet on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

Meet Information: Schedule | Start Lists | Live Results

Tickets for the weekend’s John McDonnell Invitational are $5 for adults with free admission for fans 17 years and younger. Tickets are sold at the northwest entrance (corner of Razorback Rd and Meadow St) of John McDonnell Field. Saturday’s field events start at 11:30 a.m. with running events beginning at 3 p.m.

The meet will be streamed on the SEC Network+ via WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app Friday, Apr. 13 and Saturday, Apr. 14.

“We’re five weeks away from the SEC meet which seems very short,” said head coach Lance Harter.

“Those key meets that are between now and then are imperative to try to get great qualifying marks for the SEC [Championships] as far as seeding goes, but also to get qualifying marks for the regional and eventually the national meet. This weekend, obviously we hope mother nature changes its ways and fakes out the weatherman again. If that happens, I think we’re ready to post some very good marks across the board, but right now the weatherman is against us and we’re going to make do the best we can,” Harter continued.

The Razorbacks will host squads from Arkansas Baptist, Missouri, Missouri State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Oral Roberts, Southwest Baptist, and Tulsa at this weekend’s meet.

The women’s track & field team is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation, according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), and boast seven performances in the Top-10 of the NCAA including Taliyah Brooks – the national leader in the long jump.

No. 1 | Taliyah Brooks – Long Jump 6.78m (22’-3”) *school record
No. 2 | Taliyah Brooks – Heptathlon 5946-points
No. 2 | Lexi Jacobus – Pole Vault 4.55m (14’-11”)
No. 3 | Victoria Hoggard – Pole Vault 4.50m (14’-9”)
No. 7 | Jada Baylark – 100-meters 11.09
No. 7 | Janeek Brown – 100-meter hurdles 12.90
No. 7 | Arkansas 4-x-100 meter relay 43.40 *No. 2 in program history

The John McDonnell Invitational is the second of four outdoor home meets for the Razorbacks who are also set to host the National Relay Championships (April 27-28) and Arkansas Twilight (May 4).

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