Kebenei, Lawson Post #NCAATF Qualifiers

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AUSTIN, Texas – The No. 6 University of Arkansas men’s track and field team got a pair of qualifying performances from Stanley Kebenei and Jarrion Lawson on day two of the NCAA West Preliminary at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin. The Razorbacks now have four qualifiers from the first two days including two by Lawson. Arkansas also have a quarterfinalist in Omar McLeod in the 110-meter hurdles.

#NCAATF Qualifiers
Nathanael Franks – decathlon
Stanley Kebenei – 3,000m steepelchase
Jarrion Lawson – 100 meters
Jarrion Lawson – long jump
Ken LeGassey – high jump

Kebenei capped day two of the preliminary meet by winning heat one of the 3,000-meter steeplechase which secured his berth in the NCAA Championships. He took the lead early and came away with a winning time of 8:49.57 to advance to the national meet for the third-consecutive season. Kebenei was the 2014 national runner-up in the event and will enter the meet with a season-best 8:23.93 from the Payton Jordan Invitational.

Competing in his second individual event of the meet, Lawson posted a wind-aided time of 10.13 to finish ninth overall in the quarterfinal round of the 100 meters. He began his week with a qualifying effort Thursday in the long jump. In addition to his solo successes, Lawson is scheduled to run with the Razorbacks’ 4×100- and 4×400-meter relays during Saturday’s quarterfinal heats.

Running in the opening round of the 110-meter hurdles, McLeod posted the fastest qualifying time in winning the final of six heats. The Razorback sophomore crossed the finish line in a wind-aided 13.36 to advance to Saturday’s quarterfinal. McLeod will race for a spot at the national meet Saturday at 7:20 p.m. (CT) with possible relay duties in the 4×100- and 4×400-meter events.

Arkansas has eight national-qualifying opportunities Saturday beginning with Andrew Irwin in the pole vault at 1 p.m. The Razorbacks will have additional chances with Kebenei and Kemoy Campbell at 5,000 meters and Clive Pullen and Rubin Owens in the triple jump. The 2015 NCAA Championships will be held June 10-13 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

2015 NCAA West Preliminary | Day 2
Mike A. Myers Stadium
Austin, Texas

100 Meters (quarterfinal)
9. Jarrion Lawson – 10.13wQ (+3.1)

110m Hurdles (first round)
1. Omar McLeod – 13.36wq (+2.8)

3,000m Steeplechase (quarterfinal)
9. Stanley Kebenei – 8:49.57Q
23. Frankline Tonui – 9:03.54

Shot Put (first round)
40. Devin Randall – 17.11m/56-1.75

#NCAAD1W Day 3 Schedule
1 p.m. | Pole Vault (first round) – Andrew Irwin
6 p.m. | 4x100m Relay (quarterfinal)
6 p.m. | Triple Jump (first round) – Clive Pullen, Rubin Owens
7:20 p.m. | 110m Hurdles (quarterfinal) – Omar McLeod
8:45 p.m. | 5,000 Meters (semifinal) – Kemoy Campbell, Stanley Kebenei
9:45 p.m. | 4x400m Relay (quarterfinal)

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