UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

Recruiting class ranked sixth by T&F News

 

            FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the second-consecutive season, the recruiting class for the University of Arkansas men’s track and field team has received a top-10 ranking by Track & Field News. The Razorbacks’ incoming group is ranked sixth by the publication. Last year, Arkansas was ranked fourth on the annual list. This marks the fourth recruiting class for head coach Chris Bucknam and his staff in Fayetteville.

            In a show of the strength of the Southeastern Conference, the Razorbacks are one of four SEC teams inside the Track & Field News recruiting ranks. Arkansas’ incoming freshman class includes Lane Austell (multi events), Eric Hawkins (sprints), Eric Janise (sprints/jumps), Jarrion Lawson (jumps), Kenny LeGassey (jumps), Cale Wallace (middle distance) and Deatrich Wise (throws).

            Arkansas track and field will also be boosted by the addition of junior college transfer Kemoy Campbell and the return of redshirts Tarik Batchelor, Matt Kirbos, Anthony May II, Pete Mirocke, Andrew Pisechko, Devin Randall, Tomas Squella and Ryan Thomas.

            The Razorbacks have already seen the benefits of Campbell and Wallace during the cross country season. Campbell paced Arkansas at the NCAA Cross Country Championship with an All-America performance, while Wallace was named the SEC Freshman of the Year. The newcomers helped Arkansas to a team title at the SEC Championship meet and a 10^th-place national finish.

            The incoming class features the top-ranked prep long and triple jumper in Lawson. He had the top high school performances in both events during his senior season with marks of 7.82m/25-8 in the long jump and 15.80m/51-10.25 in the triple jump. Lawson went on to win both events at the USA Junior Championships in June to qualify for the World Junior Championships where he finished third in the long jump and sixth in the triple jump.

            Austell will join the Razorbacks’ multi-event group with a PR of 6,849 points in the decathlon using junior implements. Adding to the sprint crew, Hawkins has high marks of 10.39 at 100 meters and 20.80 at 200 meters, while Janise has run 21.59 at 200 meters and 47.02 at 400 meters. Janise also carries a best of 14.65m/48-1 in the triple jump.

            During his time at South Plains College, Campbell was a two-time NJCAA event champion. Wallace begins his collegiate track career with bests of 1:51.72 at 800 meters and 4:09.30 at 1,600 meters. LeGassey and Wise will add to Arkansas’ field efforts. LeGassey registered a best of 2.08m/6-10 in the high jump during his prep career. In the throw event, Wise has marks of 16.94m/55-7 in the shot put and 57.75m/189-6 in the discus.

            The Razorbacks’ 2013 track and field season begins Jan. 11 with their continued indoor dual series with Texas at the Randal Tyson Track Center. During the upcoming season, Arkansas is set to host 11 meets—six indoor and five outdoor—including the 2013 SEC and NCAA Indoor Championships. In addition to the championship events, the Razorbacks added six scored meets to their schedule.

For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com. Fans can also keep up with Arkansas cross country and track and field through the team’s sport-specific RazorbackTF Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

Track & Field News Men’s Recruiting Class Rankings

1. Florida State

2. Ohio State

3. Alabama

4. Texas A&M

5. Penn State

6. ARKANSAS

7. Florida

8. Stanford

9. UCLA

10. Baylor