FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2012 – MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT: Zach Lawson (zlawson@uark.edu)

 

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

Sutej vaults to third Penn Relays title

 

            DES MOINES, Iowa – In a successful defense of her pole vault title at Penn Relays, Tina Sutej became a three-time champion at the prestigious event Thursday at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. The Razorbacks were also in action at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, where Makeba Alcide posted a season-best score of 5,621 points to finish third in the heptathlon.

            Sutej won her third consecutive Penn Relays title with a final clearance of 4.35m/14-3.25. With the first-place finish, Sutej extended her season winning streak to nine meets, dating back to the start of the indoor campaign. The Razorbacks have now won seven pole vault titles at the prestigious event, all within the past 10 years. Overall, the win increased Arkansas’ total to 15 event titles at Penn Relays.

            In other field results in Philadelphia, Danielle Nowell finished in sixth place in the pole vault. The Razorback sophomore finished the competition with a 3.90m/12-9.5 clearance. Earlier in the day, Kirsten Hesseltine made her Penn Relays debut with an 18^th-place finish in the high jump.

            Alcide finished the two-day, seven-event competition in third place with 5,621 points. The figure is the second-best total of her career, trailing only the 5,646 points she scored at the 2011 SEC Championships. In the final event of the heptathlon, Alcide notched a personal-best time of 2:17.10 in the 800 meters. She finished the Drake Relays with three career bests—800 meters, 100-meter hurdles (13.94) and shot put (12.42m/40-9).

            In third place overall, Alcide finished second among collegiate competitors. Based on point totals entering the weekend and other scores at the Drake Relays heptathlon, she currently leads the Southeastern Conference and ranked No. 8 in the NCAA.

            During the Distance Carnival portion of the meet, Diane Robison finished 12^th in the 5,000 meters. Making her outdoor debut at that distance, she crossed the line in a time of 16:50.15. Her only previous experience at 5,000 meters came during the indoor season at the SEC Championships.

The 2012 Drake Relays continues Friday with preliminary rounds of the 100 meters, 100-meter hurdles, 4x100-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay; and finals in the 800 meters and 4x200 relay. Arkansas is the defending Drake Relays champion and meet-record holder (3:28.63) in the 4x400-meter relay.

            Meet coverage during the weekend is set to include live results and an interactive blog, which begins Friday at noon (CT). A video stream will be available for Drake Relays via subscription through the Bulldogs’ website. For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

 

Thursday Results

 

Penn Relays

High Jump

18. Kirsten Hesseltine – 1.60m/5-3

 

Pole Vault

1. Tina Sutej – 4.35m/14-3.25

6. Danielle Nowell – 3.90m/12-9.5

 

Drake Relays

5,000 Meters

12. Diane Robison – 16:50.15

 

Heptathlon

3. Makeba Alcide – 5,621 points

            2. Long jump – 5.82m/19-1.25 – 795 points

            5. Javelin – 34.05m/111-8 – 554 points

            4. 800m – 2:17.10 (PR) – 863 points

 

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