FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012 – MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT: Zach Lawson (zlawson@uark.edu)

 

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

Razorbacks to duel Oregon in 2013

 

            FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – As part of its 2012-13 schedule, the sixth-ranked University of Arkansas men’s track and field team will travel to Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., for a head-to-head competition against the University of Oregon. In conjunction with the 2013 Oregon Relays, the national runner-up Razorbacks will square off with the Ducks in a scheduled 90-minute, dual-competition format featuring two of the most prestigious programs in collegiate track and field history.

            The Razorbacks were the national runner-up at the 2012 NCAA Indoor Championships and are the defending SEC indoor and outdoor champions. With their win at the 2011 SEC Cross Country Championships, Arkansas currently holds all three conference titles.

            “This is the direction track and field should be going,” head coach Chris Bucknam said. “At Arkansas, we are involved in a three-year plan to transform our schedule to include more scored meets that are athlete, coach, fan and media friendly. In regards to this meet, Vin (Lananna) has come up with a creative way to make this meet happen. Our fans, team, staff and administration are excited about going to Hayward Field for a scored meet with one objective: to win the meet.”

The Razorbacks host an annual indoor dual meet with the University of Texas men’s team for the past three years at the Randal Tyson Track Center that has become very popular for fans in Fayetteville. Arkansas is undefeated in those dual competitions with the Longhorns.

            The Oregon Relays was first held in 1991 and contested again in 1996. The prestigious event, currently in its 11^th year, has since been held every year since the 2004 season. The Oregon Relays is a two-day event that draws the top high school, collegiate and professional in the Northwest to historic Hayward Field. The 2013 trip will be Arkansas’ first appearance at the Oregon Relays.

            “We think it’s a cool idea to bring in a team that could potentially be NCAA champions,” Oregon head coach Vin Lananna said. “The agreement I have with (Bucknam) is that no athletes from Oregon or Arkansas will attend any other meets that weekend. We will be competing all-out, right here, get it done, with no excuses about resting kids.”

            The Razorbacks continue their 2012 outdoor campaign Friday afternoon with the start of the John McDonnell Invitational in Fayetteville. Meet coverage of Arkansas’ weekend home event will include live results and an interactive blog. The two-day meet will be broadcast on tape delay April 30 by CST at 7 p.m.

Competition dates and updated information regarding the 2013 Oregon Relays and Arkansas-Oregon dual will be released as they become available. For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

 

-- ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @ArkRazorbacks || Facebook.com/ArkansasRazorbacks --