Track set for NCAA Championships

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas Lady Razorback track team is prepped and ready for the 2008 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships to begin on Friday, March 14, at the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville.

The Lady Razorbacks bring 12 student-athletes to the event which showcases the best in collegiate track and field over a two-day span. Arkansas, ranked ninth in the latest United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association top 25, has eight scoring chances which begin on Friday evening with the long jump and concluding with the 5,000 meters.

“If everything hits we could have a very good meet,” Arkansas head coach Lance Harter said. “We have one of our largest groups of women competing at the championship and it should be a fun two days. This group has worked very hard all season and to be invited to participate in the national championship is a great reward for their dedication.”

Arkansas only brings three Lady Razorbacks to the track on Friday with Peter-Gaye Beckford in the long jump, Dacia Barr in the mile and Denise Bargiachi in the 5,000 meters. Saturday’s competition starts early with Etienne Chaplin in the pentathlon at 11:30 a.m., followed by Katie Stripling, Stephanie Irwin and Tara Diebold in the pole vault, the mile final, Christine Kalmer in the 3,000 meters and the quartet of Courtenay Brown, Tominque Boatright, Shelise Williams and Paige Farrell ending the competition with the 4×400-meter relay.

Last season the Lady Razorbacks earned six all-America honors and finished tied for 21st in the final team standings with nine points. The 2008 squad has the potential to blow past that point total early on day two and potentially earn a top 10 finish.

The NCAA Championships will be streamed live on the internet by visiting the NCAA Championships webpage on LADYBACKS.com.