Iowa challenges Florida, but Gators prevail by 3:02.09 to 3:02.40 margin, with Arkansas eclipsing 1985 program record by clocking 3:03.18; Maloney runs collegiate-leading 2:01.74 in women’s 800, Perinchief gets top global triple jump effort

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. – For all the top collegiate efforts and world-leading marks showcased during the two-day Tyson Invitational at Randal Tyson Track Center, the final race of the meet offered only a glimpse of just how fast that performance could be in another month.

Despite Florida and Iowa both avoiding a disastrous conclusion to the men’s 4x400-meter relay when Gators’ anchor Champion Allison got tangled up with Hawkeyes’ final leg Jenoah McKiver following the last baton exchange, they each managed to remain upright and finish strong.

Florida’s lineup of Jacory Patterson, Ryan Willie, Jacob Miley and Allison ran 3:02.09, the second-fastest 4x400 achieved in Randal Tyson Track Center history, trailing only a 3:01.96 effort in 1996 by an American all-star quartet of Kerron Clement, Wallace Spearmon, Darold Williamson and Jeremy Wariner.

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The Gators – who also received a 200 victory in 20.91 from Patterson – remain the No. 3 program in collegiate indoor history with their 2018 performance of 3:01.43, with Iowa elevating to No. 5 all-time following their runner-up effort Saturday of 3:02.40, with McKiver being joined by Chadrick Richards, Julien Gillum and Wayne Lawrence Jr.

Arkansas eclipsed a 1985 school record, as Jeremy Farr, Brandon Battle, Ayden Owens and James Benson II ran 3:03.18 to improve on the previous standard of 3:03.24, making the Razorbacks the No. 7 program in collegiate indoor history.

The Razorbacks also demonstrated their strength in the women’s 4x400 relay, with Britton Wilson, Jayla Hollis, Paris Peoples and Rosey Effiong running 3:28.39 for the No. 3 time in the world this season, trailing only the performances Saturday achieved by Kentucky (3:27.27) and Texas (3:28.05) at the Tiger Paw Invitational at Clemson.

Only the 3:28.07 effort that helped Arkansas take third in the 4x400 at the Division 1 Indoor championship meet last year was faster in program history than the performance achieved Saturday by the Razorbacks.

Although Iowa was second in 3:32.28, Arkansas had another 4x400 lineup clock 3:32.53, highlighted by a third-leg split of 51.63 by Shafiqua Maloney.

It wasn’t the only big moment for Maloney, who took over the collegiate lead in the 800 meters by clocking 2:01.74, just off her 2:01.22 effort that took third at the Division 1 indoor championship meet last year that elevated her to the No. 8 all-time NCAA competitor.

Kieran Taylor ascended to the No. 3 collegiate athlete this year in the men’s 800, clocking 1:47.12, followed by Razorbacks’ teammate Leroy Russell in 1:47.89.

Florida wasn’t able to complete the women’s 4x400, when Taylor Manson stopped running on the opening lap after experiencing discomfort in her right leg, but Talitha Diggs ascended to the No. 2 indoor competitor this season in the 200 meters by edging LSU’s Favour Ofili by a 22.75 to 22.81 margin.

Hollis also eclipsed the 23-second barrier for the Razorbacks by clocking 22.99.

Jah-Nhai Perinchief of Bermuda, who competed last year at Tennessee, won the men’s invitational triple jump with a world-leading 55-5.75 (16.91m) effort in the third round.

LSU’s Sean Dixon-Bodie finished second with a mark of 53-10.50 (16.42m).

Princeton’s Sondre Guttormsen improved on his own Norwegian indoor record in the men’s pole vault with a first-attempt clearing at 19-1 (5.82m), equaling the No. 9 all-time collegiate indoor competitor and remaining second in the NCAA this season behind only the No. 5 performer in history Zach McWhorter of Brigham Young at 19-2.25 (5.85m).

Florida’s Jasmine Moore, the collegiate indoor record holder in the women’s triple jump, won with a third-round performance of 46-6.75 (14.19m) and teammate Natricia Hooper was runner-up with a mark of 45-9.75 (13.96m). Missouri’s Arianna Fisher took third with a personal-best 44-7 (13.59m).

Nebraska’s Mayson Conner cleared 7-3.25 (2.22m) on his third attempt to prevail in the men’s high jump.

LSU senior Abby O’Donoghue triumphed in the women’s invitational high jump with a first-attempt clearance at 6-0.75 (1.85m). Nebraska freshman Jenna Rogers and LSU’s Nyagoa Bayak cleared the same height, but finished second and third based on more attempts at the height.

Alabama’s Isaac Odugbesan, a Nigerian athlete, won the men’s shot put with a fourth-round effort of 66-9.75 (20.36m).

Nebraska freshman Axelina Johansson, representing Sweden, also produced her top mark in the women’s shot put in the fourth round to emerge victorious at 58-0.50 (17.69m).

Missouri’s Martin Prodanov, who competes for Bulgaria, achieved the first sub-4 mile of his career to hold off Nebraska’s Dais Malebana by a 3:58.72 to 3:59.88 margin.

Rheinhardt Harrison of Nease High in Florida, an Oregon signee, finished fifth in 4:01.15, improving to the No. 7 all-time prep competitor in the indoor mile.

Shimales Abebe of Oklahoma City became the No. 2 all-time NAIA indoor competitor in the 5,000 meters by clocking 14:02.35. Only teammate Zouhair Talbi, representing Morocco, has run faster in NAIA history on a 200-meter indoor track with his 13:18.17 performance Saturday at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational at Boston University.

Florida State earned wins in the women’s mile, with Jennifer Lima clocking 4:50.53, as well as the 5,000, with Amanda Beach running 16:31.29.