Arkansas Track and Field - 2023

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Use this to talk about any track and field events in Arkansas if you'd like.

The indoor season is almost upon us. The Razorbacks, both men and women, are looking strong. Let's see a breakdown for some of the men.

Middle Distance
Jadon Bartholomew - Junior
1:49.22 Personal best in the 800, 48.15 in the 400.

Jadon is an Arkansas native who has been a solid depth piece for the Razorbacks. 1:49 will have a tough time scoring at a conference meet, but bring that down a second or 2 seconds and you have a national scoring threat.

Ceiling: SEC meet fringe scorer, part of a DMR team at SECs and NCAAs.

Sprinter
Brandon Battle - Junior
46.37 Personal best in the 400

Brandon has been on a national 4x400 team that placed 6th at the NCAAs and a DMR team that placed 9th there. He did that two seasons ago, though.

Ceiling: Scoring individually in the 400 at SECs, perhaps fringe scorer in the individual 400 at NCAAs. A cog in both the 4x400 at both SEC and NCAAs, same for DMR.

Jumps
Romaine Beckford - Senior
7' 5" personal best in the High Jump, he has other personal bests, but he did a heptathlon for a junior college a ways back and hasn't competed in that since he did it the one season.

Just a huge get for the staff. Blue chip through and through. Romaine comes to Arkansas from South Florida. He is the reigning NATIONAL CHAMPION in the Indoor High Jump.

Ceiling: Repeating as national champion in high jump, which means winning SECs, too.

Hurdler
Tai Brown - Senior
7.72 second personal best in the 60 hurdles. He has done some sprints, but mainly for speed work.

Tai comes to us from Kentucky, actually I think he came to us last year, but must have been redshirted due to injury or something. He ran one time, didn't put up a great time, and then never ran again. His personal best is more of an outlier as he really runs in the 7.8s and 7.9s. He could score in the SECs...I'm not seeing NCAAs, but he's a veteran with a personal best that could get him there.

Ceiling: Fringe SEC scorer. Perhaps qualifies for NCAAs.

[RATTLER43]

Good stuff.  Keep it coming.   The women were about as expected last year with a little letdown at the end but not much with Texas being so loaded.  The men let it get away.  No way we should have lost at outdoor nationals last year......   I hope it fuels the fire for this year.

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Hurdler
TJ Caldwell - Junior
7.64 PR in the 60 hurdles, 6.98 PR in the 60 that he's ran for speed work.

Caldwell is a very interesting transfer from Pittsburg State. A Division II standout who had his worse races at the NCAA Division II championships last year. His times could get him qualified for the NCAA championships, but he will have to race better at that meet.

Ceiling: SEC Meet scorer (mid to high points), NCAA qualifier...fringe scorer

Middle Sprinter
Ethan Carney - Junior
48.13 PR in the 400 and 1:49.39 PR in the 800.

Another Arkansas native. I use this term "Middle Sprinters" for guys who tend towards the 800, but still are on the 400 side of things. He is a lot like Bartholomew from my previous post. These times are nothing to put your nose up at, but in the coneference he's in, it will be tough. Looking forward to his improvement.

Ceiling: Depth piece for the 4x4, possible DMR guy at SECs and/or NCAAs. Very, very fringe SEC scorer.

Middle Distance
Isaac Carney - Freshman
In High School - 1:53.36 800 PR

Believe it or not, I don't think he is related to Ethan. He isn't an Arkansas kid. His 800 has great potential. 800 progression from high school is hard to gauge, thus these ceiling pieces for some will be wild.

Ceiling: Fringe DMR candidate. Could score at SECs if things turn out right...unlikely, I think.

Jumps
Apalos Edwards - Junior
24' 8.25" PR in Long Jump...55' 3" PR in triple jump.

Yeah, an unbelievable get by this staff from LSU. A blue chip transfer. Edwards finished 3rd at last years SECs and 11th at NCAAs...but two years ago, he finished 3rd at NCAAs. I think with the jumps staff we have, he could take off...literally and figuratively.

Ceiling: High scorer at SECs, high scorer at NCAAs...not putting champion because of his own teammate, who will come up soon.

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Multis
Emmanuel Edwards - Freshman
5686 PR in the heptathlon

Our multis coach is one of the best in the country and with that, this kid coming in with a year of practice under his belt could improve mightily since multi eventers score with the culmination of all of their events. He was probably one of the best multi prospects you could get from "high school". (He is from the Netherlands, so the equivalent of that). His heptathlon personal best is 5686 points, which would have got him to NCAAs and got him close to scoring.

Ceiling: SEC scorer mid to high. NCAA fringe scorer...maybe mid scorer if he has improved like some of these multis guys do

Jumps
Tomas Ferrari - Senior
7' 0.5" PR in High Jump

Tomas has been a great competitor for the Razorbacks over the years, but hasn't had a huge breakthrough. He scored 8th at the last SEC indoor champs. I personally don't see too many high jumpers have break throughs at this age, but it isn't completely impossible. I think his experience will be great for SEC competition, but not sure he has the quality to have staying power in the NCAAs.

Ceiling: SEC scorer...mid...high, I guess, since this event can be a bit crazy. Fringe NCAA qualifier.

Middle Distance
Luke George - Senior
1:52.34 PR in the 800, 4:06.10 PR in the Mile, 9:01.87 PR in the 3K

Luke joined us from Oklahoma a few years back. He hasn't had huge success compared to some standards, as he has competed in all 3 seasons (cross country, indoor, and outdoor) sporadically. Perhaps injury prone. Some of his best moments come from back in 2020. He has a nice mile PR, though, nothing nationally great.

Ceiling: Fringe mile scorer at SECs if he improves and also runs tactically. DMR depth piece at SECs.

Middle Distance
Wyatt Green - Freshman
1:54.76 PR in 800

Wyatt comes to us from Katy, TX. He is the son of a former All American Razorback named Danny Green. He has ran 1:54.76 in the 800 in high school.

Ceiling: Probably not scoring at either NCAAS or SECs, but maybe he comes in and has a huge jump in performance. Maybe a DMR depth guy with a lot of improvement.

[RATTLER43]

Edwards could be a huge get!!!!

[RATTLER43]

Announcement:  Hibbert wins the Bowerman!!

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Just in case you might be wondering, the Bowerman is like the Heisman for track. So Hibbert winning it is huge for the program...speaking of Hibbert:

Jumps
Jaydon Hibbert - Sophomore
Triple Jump - 57' 6.5"

Just for reference, Jonathan Edwards almost 30 year triple jump world record is about 60 feet...Hibbert is still under 20 I believe. Or close to it. He is a one event guy as it can mess up your steps to go to long jump unless you are ready. I don't think Arkansas coaches want to risk losing an almost guaranteed 10 points at any meet because they get too greedy. Hibbert is the defending indoor triple jump champion as one might have picked up on by now.

Ceiling: There isn't a ceiling for him. Perhaps the question becomes would he be interested in adding another event.


Distance
Lexington Hilton - Junior
3:58.70 in the Mile, 7:49.84 in the 3K, 13:54.58 in the 5K.

Our first pure distance guy makes his way from Greenland, Arkansas. Lexington transferred to us from Arkansas State a few years ago and he has been a contributor here and there. As any distance runner, their fitness has to be balanced over three seasons, XC, Indoor TF, Outdoor TF. Lexington seemed to come out on fire for the Razorbacks. His mile PR and his 3K PR were ran early last indoor season. It seems he might have had an injury, as he didn't finish a race the rest of the season (including outdoor). His XC season was up and down. He looks to be in shape this year to at least compete.

Ceiling: Scorer in two events at SECs. Maybe a qualifier for NCAAs in one,  I don't know though...and you never know what can happen if you qualify for a distance event at the NCAAs.

Jumps
Andrew Hughes - Freshman
High Jump - 7' 0"

Andrew comes to the Razorbacks via Ada, Oklahoma. His PR would have been good enough to score at SECs last year, albeit, that statement doesn't always mean a whole lot. He will come in and gets his feet wet and learn from some upperclassmen. I hope it will be a fun year for him and maybe an All-SEC year for him.

Ceiling: Scorer at the SECs. Hard to say if he will be ready to go for an NCAA berth...we will find out pretty quickly.

Pole Vault
John Kendricks - Freshman
Pole Vault - 16' 8"

This is very exciting, as Arkansas has recruited a blue chip pole vaulter. We haven't had a lot of success in it since Andrew Irwin. If we could have a guy scoring big in the pole vault, that makes the team just that much deeper

Ceiling: I think it is fair to say he could score at SECs (a tough pole vault conference) and be a fringe scorer at NCAAs. Talk about an event hard to predict, though.

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Distance
Patrick Kiprop - Junior
PR in the Mile is 4:08.65, 3K PR is 7:53.41, and 5K PR is 13:24.32

Kiprop is another pure distance guy. He gets better the more distance you put on the race. His 5K is something to behold, as he is a solid NCAA scorer threat in that event...high scorer too if things shake out. His 3K is good, too, but in indoor, you have to chase times to qualify for NCAAs and if he only gets one shot, who knows if he will get the time.

Ceiling: Scorer in whatever event is needed of him at SECs, maybe event winning an event. NCAA high scorer or champion in the 5K...maybe a 3K scorer if Buck feels confident about it.

Sprints
Lance Lang - Senior
6.61 PR in the 60, 20.32 in the 200

We go from a guy who runs his best the further the distance to a guy who runs his best the shorter the distance. Lance is our first pure short sprinter. Lance provided a point last year Indoors in the 200. He also ran on the 4x4 throughout a year a few times. Lance not only provides scoring potential at the SECs and NCAAs, but veteran depth in relays.

Ceiling: SEC scorer in the 60 and 200, perhaps 4x4. NCAA scorer in the 60 and 200 is possible for him.

Hurdles
Phillip Lemonious - Senior
PR in the 60 hurdles is 7.54.

Lemonious is one of the more accomplished runners on the team, although he is definitely better at the 110 hurdles outdoors. He never got going indoors again after a big PR, so he didn't qualify for the NCAAs. I really am understating his talent, though. His ceiling is high

Ceiling: High scorer in the SECs, mid to high in the NCAAs.

Jumps
Link Lindsey - Sophomore
22' 9.25" PR in the long jump, 48' 0.75" in the triple jump

Link is a guy that has the Lindsey name and was amazing in high school at Fayetteville HS. He would have to improve big time to score at SECs or NCAAs. I'm rooting for his own progress and his successes there. These guys are important to a team, too.

Ceiling: Making the team for the SEC championships.

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Sprints
Steven McElroy - Junior
6.86 in the 60, 21.18 in the 200, 46.33 in the 400

Steven is a transfer from Cincinnati. He is a solid 60//200 guy, but will have a tough time placing in those at SECs. The 400 is where it is at for him. He will provide a key piece to a 4x4 team. He could be a first alternate or even a member of the A team relay (if he stays in the shape he was in at UC, he will be on the team).

Ceiling: Scorer in the 400, 4x4 (maybe DMR) at SECs. Perhaps scores in both the 400 and 4x4 at NCAAs, too.

Distance
Jacob McLeod - Senior
4:08.42 in the Mile, 8:02.21 in the 3K, 13:39.50 in the 5K.

Jacob and Patrick Kiprop have similar profiles, albeit Jacob isn't as fast. His 3K and 5K are solid times, albeit, his 5K is better. Not a bad mile, but probably just speed work for him.

Ceiling: Scorer in 3K and 5K at SECs if needed. Perhaps a 5K NCAA qualifier.

Hurdles
Elijah Morris - Senior
7.82 in the 60 Hurdles

Elijah comes from Baylor and should provide some depth to the hurdle crew. I don't know if we only get him for one year, but he will have to improve to make it to scoring opportunities in the post season. The staff sees that in him, though.

Ceiling: Scorer at SECs in the 60 hurdles...perhaps a fringe qualifier for NCAAs.

Jumps
Kason O'Riley - Junior
7' 2.25" in the High Jump

Another high jumper that brings great competitiveness to this team. Kason has had a breakthrough unlike the others. He's placed at SECs, qualified for NCAAs (while at Oklahoma).

Ceiling: High scorer at SECs, Scorer at NCAAs.

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Jumps
Wayne Pinnock - Junior
27' 5.5" PR in Long Jump,  52' 2.75" in Triple Jump

Wayne could be our x-factor or even MVP in a national meet. Long jump is his thing, but his triple jump is enough to be relevant nationally. He has potential to score more than 10 points at a national meet, although that will be tough.

Ceiling: Long jump winner in SECs and maybe even NCAAs. Triple Jump scorer at SECs and fringe scorer at nationals.

Distance
Reuben Reina - Sophomore
4:03.11 in the Mile, 13:57.61 in the 5000

Reuben is close to breaking out in my opinion. As of now, he has very solid times, albeit, perhaps not ready to run at nationals. It will be interesting to see if he gets put in a 3K this year.

Ceiling: Scorer in a event or two at SECs. Fringe qualifier for nationals...well maybe. Possible DMR guy.

Distance
Myles Richter - Junior
4:08.59 in the Mile, 7:56.24 in the 3K, 13:44.04 in the 5K

Myles might be our best all around distance runner. A veteran with racing experience that you want in SECs to grab points. He has the possibility to qualify for NCAAs, but one wonders if he will be able to focus on one event to do it.

Ceiling: High amount of points at SECs in a couple or more events. Qualifier for NCAAs in 5K or 3K. DMR guy.

Distance
Tommy Romanow - Junior
4:07.21 in the Mile, 8:12.63 in the 3K

Tommy is a competitive runner who could be a DMR guy. He is one you could see featured in the SECs, but I doubt nationals.

Ceiling: DMR, 3K, Mile scorer at SECs...probably not all of those. Not making NCAAs in individual, but could for a 1200 leg in a DMR.

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Distance
Elias Schreml - Junior
3:57.85 in the Mile, 7:57.20 in the 3K, 14:09.74

If Richter isn't our best all-around distance runner than Schreml certainly is. His mile time is one that if improved upon could finally give us representation there. He is an almost definitive piece of a nationally competitive DMR as he is just too good at too many things to not be.

Ceiling: Scorer in the mile and 3K at SECs, mile qualifier for NCAAs, DMR national scorer

Distance
Ben Shearer - Junior
1:51.57 in the 800, 4:00.18 in the Mile, 7:54.06 in the 3K, 13:36.86 in the 5K

Ben is an amazing distance runner. Actually, I'm a broken record. Perhaps HE is our best all around distance runner. His 5K is nationally competitive. All of his events are good enough to score at SECs.

Ceiling: Scorer in the SECs at multiple events, NCAA qualifier in the 5K. Possible piece in DMR, although I think he probably sticks to long distance individual events.

Distance
Josh Shearer - Junior
4:06.31 in the Mile, 7:59.12 in the 3K, 14:20.91 in the 5K.

Yes, the brother of Ben. His times aren't as stellar, but it is unfair to pit him against his brother. He's a guy who could definitely provide scoring at a conference meet.

Ceiling: Scoring at the SEC meet in one or maybe two events.

Hurdler
Brevin Sims - Junior
7.85 PR in the 60 hurdles

Brevin is a depth piece in the hurdles for the Razorbacks. He didn't make the SEC team last year indoors, but did so outdoors.

Ceiling: Making team for conference and maybe even scoring in the 60 hurdles.

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Multis
Yariel Soto Torrado - Senior
6047 in the Heptathlon, 16' 9.5" PR in the pole vault

Soto Torrado is an amazing heptathlete. He's a returning All American after scoring 6th indoors last year at the NCAAs. He is also a very good pole vaulter. Good enough to probably make Buck think if he could do the individual pole vault for points at SECs or nationals.

Ceiling: Scorer at NCAAs in heptathlon. Possible SEC scorer in heptathlon (although our coaches like to rest national qualifiers in this event at SECs) and pole vault.

Multis
Daniel Spejcher - Senior
5751 PR in the heptathlon

As you can tell by the PR, not as high potential in the heptathlon as Soto Torrado, but he was our most consistent force for the past few years in the multi events. Spejcher is a guy who can and has compete in the multis at SECs and Nationals. His grit is needed in this event.

Ceiling: Scorer in the heptathlon at SECs and NCAA qualifier.

Middle Sprinter
William Spencer Jr - Senior
46.70 PR in the 400

Spencer is a transfer from South Carolina who will do more damage outdoors in the 400 hurdles. These 400 hurdle specialists have a tough time finding their best event indoors, but the obvious choice is the 400. I think he provides some good depth indoors and his times can't be ignore either

Ceiling: SEC scorer in the 400, DMR?. NCAA qualifier in the 400 is possible.

Throws
Roje Stona - Senior
65' 6" PR in the shot put

The man who will provide us our best throws this year will be Stona. Just like Spencer Jr, Stona is a guy who will do best outdoors as he is a world class discus thrower. That said, his shot put is great, too.

Ceiling: SEC scorer in the shot put, NCAA qualifier, fringe scorer for shot put.

[RATTLER43]

Hoping Spejcher can stay on track all year.     Go out with a bang. 

[RATTLER43]

Dominance!!

SEC Champions men and women. 

[RATTLER43]

We are the defending National Champions in men's and women's indoor track and field. We enter the championships ranked #1 in both divisions. The women have been ranked #1 all season while the men have steadily climbed reaching #1 status after dominating the SEC championships.  WPS!!

[RATTLER43]

Men come up short.
NCAA Runner-up

[RATTLER43]

Women NCAA Champions!!!!!
WPS!!

[Perry]

Women's team did amazing.

Men's team really hurt from heptathlon. 4 guys entered in and only got 1 total point.

[RATTLER43]

Women's team did amazing.

Men's team really hurt from heptathlon. 4 guys entered in and only got 1 total point.

Yep.  Multis and distance crew scored less than I expected. 
Not sure what happened to our multi-event four.  Maybe the competition was better.   
Our freshman phenom Maru came in 5t but Yego and Kiprop 9th and 11th.   They ran with the pack but got out kicked in the final 2 or 3 laps.  Ran well but competition ran better.  Turner ran a PR in hurdles then no height in pole vault.  Uggghhhhh.   Last year we let one get away.  This feels like we let another get away.