Track prepares for another qualifyinf weekend

FAYETTEVILLE – In another effort to improve upon and earn NCAA qualifiers, the University of Arkansas Lady Razorback track team is splitting once more for three meets, two in the Los Angeles, Calif., area and the other in nearby Norman, Okla.

A small contingent of Lady Razorback distance runners will compete at the Mt. San Antonio College (SAC) Relays in Walnut, Calif., while others take on the challenge of the Rafer Johnson-Jackie-Joyner Kersee Invitational in Westwood. Arkansas’s sprints, hurdles and field event athletes hope the impending weather clears in the Sooner state so they can compete at the John Jacobs Invitational.

“We’ve always said that we will travel to the best track meets in order to allow our student-athletes the greatest opportunity to qualify,” Arkansas head coach Lance Harter said. “This is another one of those weekends that we’ll be splitting up. Mt. SAC is known worldwide as a great place for distance runners, so a few of our athletes will compete at that meet. The UCLA meet will have some of our other distance runners and everyone else goes to Oklahoma. Coming into the season we felt that this is what we needed to do to help us in the long run.”

Scheduled for the Mt. SAC meet are Denise Bargiachi and Dacia Barr in the 5,000-meter run, while Christine Kalmer looks to qualify in the 1,5000. Beth Fahey, Jennifer Harper, Dani Parry, Caroline Peyton, Tiffany Redlarczyk and Miranda Walker have their sights set on UCLA where they are scheduled to compete in the 1,500, steeplechase or 5,000 meters.

More than 20 Lady Razorbacks are traveling to Oklahoma for the John Jacobs, but severe weather in the area could truncate their stay. Storms throughout the day are expected on Friday, but could be clear of the area before the bulk of the competition begins Saturday afternoon.

For more information about Lady Razorback track or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.