FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2012 – MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT: Zach Lawson (zlawson@uark.edu)

 

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

Alcide leads heptathlon at SEC Championships

 

            BATON ROUGE, La. – Looking to defend her title from a year ago, Makeba Alcide is in first place after day one of the heptathlon at the 2012 Southeastern Conference Championships at Bernie Moore Track Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. The Razorback junior finished the day with 3,455 points, just three points off the career-best pace she set at the conference meet last season.

            “She competed very well today and stayed poised,” associate head coach Rolando Greene said. “She ran a solid hurdle race, had a season best in the high jump, was right under her best in the shot put and ran a PR in the 200 meters. She let the door unfold and never panicked. She has a very strong second day so she is in great position going into day two. Overall, she’s competed exceedingly well and is performing like an upperclassman should.”

            Alcide began her day in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.07, good for 968 points. She moved into second place overall with a win in the high jump. The Razorback junior turned in a season-best result of 1.73m/5-9.25 and added 928 points to her total.

            In the shot put, her best throw of the competition came in the first round of attempts. Alcide had a best mark of 12.24m/40-2 to finish second in that event. In the final event of the day, she took over first place in the overall standings with a personal-best effort at 200 meters. With a late charge down the final stretch, she crossed in a time of 25.05 to add 882 points to her final day-one total.

            Day two of the heptathlon begins Friday at 2:15 p.m. The final three events of the seven-event competition are the long jump, javelin and 800 meters. In her last outing, Alcide had a personal best in the 800 meters with her time of 2:17.10 at Drake Relays.

Live coverage of the conference meet will air on ESPN3.com on Saturday and Sunday. That coverage will air Saturday from 4:30-7:15 p.m. (CT) and Sunday from 3-7 p.m. Dwight Stones, Larry Rawson and Lewis Johnson will have the call of the action. A two-hour highlight show recapping the SEC Championships will air Wednesday, May 23, at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.

Day two of the SEC Championships will feature the conclusion of the heptathlon, 10,000 meters and prelims in the 200 meters, 800 meters and 400-meter hurdles. For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

 

Thursday Results

 

Heptathlon (Day 1)

1. Makeba Alcide – 3,455 points

            6. 100mH – 14.07 – 968 points

            1. High Jump – 1.73m/5-9.25 – 928 points

            2. Shot Put – 12.24m/40-2 – 677 points

            4. 200m – 25.05 (PR) – 882 points

 

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