2008 Woodie Awards
Split weekend proves successful for Lady'Back track and field
UA Sports Information
Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: Sports
The Lady Razorback track and field team had a fine weekend of competition, splitting the squad between the John McDonnell Invitational and Mt. SAC Relays. The Lady'Backs recorded eight regional-qualifying marks for their growing list.
"Paige Farrell had a great breakthrough, mentally, in the 800 meters," head coach Lance Harter said. "The pole vaulters also had a great day. We ran a solid 4x400-meter relay without Tominque [Boatright]. We have the best track in the nation and the conditions were great. Everything went according to plan."
The Lady'Back pole vaulters proved once again why they are some of the best in the nation. The crew earned second, fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth-place finishes. Stephanie Irwin led the way with her runner-up finish and a clearance of 13-7.75. A personal best, Irwin bettered her regional-qualifying mark, cleared the leading height in the SEC by six inches and ranks seventh in the nation.
"I felt great today," Irwin said. "Coach [Bryan Compton] moved my run back two weeks ago so I was on a new pole and had a new run. I was feeling really good and all I wanted to do today was clear 13 feet."
Farrell had a banner day, showing shades of strength and speed work. She won the 800 meters and dipped below the regional-qualifying time of 2:09.80. Her time of 2:08.48 ranks fifth in the nation.
Farrell also ran the third leg of the 4x400-meter relay and paced the Lady'Backs to an event win and an improved regional-qualifying time. Courtenay Brown, Shelise Williams, Farrell and Devon Williams combined for a time of 3:38.53, bettering their regional qualification and moving up among the nation and the SEC.
At Mt. SAC Relays, the Lady'Backs had stellar performances during the distance carnival. In various sections of the 5,000 meters, Arkansas got three regional-qualifying marks from its three competitors.
"The weather was just perfect," Harter said. "Mt. SAC assembles all the titans in distance running and it creates electricity in the air. You go there to run fast or you are going to get run over. Our kids decided to step up and run with them."
Dacia Barr clocked the fastest 5,000-meter time with a 16:08.35, good for an 18th-place finish in her heat. Barrís time is also a 19-second personal best and leads the SEC.
"The race went really well and the conditions were absolutely perfect," Barr said. "The plan was to go out and hang on the back of the pack because it was definitely a quick race. I settled right into my pace and ran a great time. I have a lot of strength right now and the only thing I need to focus on is my speed work."
Denise Bargiachi clocked a 16:22.51 and finished 21st in her race. Her time is a personal best by five seconds and ranks third in the SEC.
"Dacia Barr had a huge PR time in the 5000 meters which is not her primary event," Harter said. "The strength she has gives her a lot of confidence. Denise Bargiachi PRíd at 16:22 in the 5,000 meters and that was a great effort."
Arkansas will compete next at Drake Relays, April 24-26, in Des Moines, Iowa.
"Paige Farrell had a great breakthrough, mentally, in the 800 meters," head coach Lance Harter said. "The pole vaulters also had a great day. We ran a solid 4x400-meter relay without Tominque [Boatright]. We have the best track in the nation and the conditions were great. Everything went according to plan."
The Lady'Back pole vaulters proved once again why they are some of the best in the nation. The crew earned second, fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth-place finishes. Stephanie Irwin led the way with her runner-up finish and a clearance of 13-7.75. A personal best, Irwin bettered her regional-qualifying mark, cleared the leading height in the SEC by six inches and ranks seventh in the nation.
"I felt great today," Irwin said. "Coach [Bryan Compton] moved my run back two weeks ago so I was on a new pole and had a new run. I was feeling really good and all I wanted to do today was clear 13 feet."
Farrell had a banner day, showing shades of strength and speed work. She won the 800 meters and dipped below the regional-qualifying time of 2:09.80. Her time of 2:08.48 ranks fifth in the nation.
Farrell also ran the third leg of the 4x400-meter relay and paced the Lady'Backs to an event win and an improved regional-qualifying time. Courtenay Brown, Shelise Williams, Farrell and Devon Williams combined for a time of 3:38.53, bettering their regional qualification and moving up among the nation and the SEC.
At Mt. SAC Relays, the Lady'Backs had stellar performances during the distance carnival. In various sections of the 5,000 meters, Arkansas got three regional-qualifying marks from its three competitors.
"The weather was just perfect," Harter said. "Mt. SAC assembles all the titans in distance running and it creates electricity in the air. You go there to run fast or you are going to get run over. Our kids decided to step up and run with them."
Dacia Barr clocked the fastest 5,000-meter time with a 16:08.35, good for an 18th-place finish in her heat. Barrís time is also a 19-second personal best and leads the SEC.
"The race went really well and the conditions were absolutely perfect," Barr said. "The plan was to go out and hang on the back of the pack because it was definitely a quick race. I settled right into my pace and ran a great time. I have a lot of strength right now and the only thing I need to focus on is my speed work."
Denise Bargiachi clocked a 16:22.51 and finished 21st in her race. Her time is a personal best by five seconds and ranks third in the SEC.
"Dacia Barr had a huge PR time in the 5000 meters which is not her primary event," Harter said. "The strength she has gives her a lot of confidence. Denise Bargiachi PRíd at 16:22 in the 5,000 meters and that was a great effort."
Arkansas will compete next at Drake Relays, April 24-26, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Be the first to comment on this story