UAPB Track & Field: Golden Lion Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Finished Strong at SWAC Outdoor Championship

Baton Rouge, LA.- The men’s and women’s track and field teams of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff performed outstandingly well at the Southwestern Athletics Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship.

The teams’ accomplishments included several first-place wins and numerous personal records set. The men’s team secured the third position with 102 points, while the women’s team finished eighth with 48 points.

On the men’s side, the Golden Lions track team has been gaining recognition for their exceptional quarter-milers. Recently, they proved that they have talented sprinters as well. During the conference meet, junior Dwight Henry stood out among the competition in the 110m hurdles, setting a personal record with a time of 14.00 to claim first place. The team also had a strong showing in the 200m dash, with two runners finishing in the top three. Junior Jared Sylvester took second place with a time of 20.92, while sophomore Ross Walrond finished third with the same time.

But the team’s momentum didn’t stop there. They dominated the 400m, with three runners finishing in the top six. Freshman Jordan Pierre took first place, setting a personal record time of 45.86, followed by Walrond in third place with a personal record time of 45.95. Sylvester finished in sixth place with a personal record time of 47.15. Junior Ryan Longmire also contributed to the team’s success, earning a point with his time of 1:57.58 in the 800m.

The Golden Lions track and field team put up an impressive performance in their recent competitions. In the distance events, freshman Inertia Mugethi made a great debut in the 5000m, securing second place and setting a personal record with a time of 15:36.42. Junior Terrance Johnson also put up a great effort and rounded out the top four with a season-best time of 15:41.49.

The relay events are always a true testament to team spirit, and the Golden Lions showed their mettle. The 4 x 100 m relay team consisting of Henry, Sylvester, Pierre, and Walrond showcased their speed and coordination, clinching first place with a season-best time of 39.72. Their victory earned them a respectable 35th rank in the DI NCAA.

In the 4 x 400m relay, Pierre, Walrond, Sylvester, and Mouhamad Soumare put up another great performance, securing second place with a season-best time of 3:08.28.

In the field events, Caleb Snowden continued to assert his dominance in the high-jump competition. The undisputed number one DI NCAA jumper in the country cleared a height of 7’03”, setting a new SWAC record and claiming first place for the Golden Lions. This feat follows his earlier achievement of clearing a 7’5″ at the Texas Relays, solidifying his position as a top contender.

In the Decathlon, junior Che Rochford put up a great fight and gave the first-place competitor a run for his money but came up just short, finishing second with a total of 6 827. Overall, the UAPB track and field team put up a commendable performance, showcasing their skills and determination on the field.

On the women’s side, the track and field team of UAPB had a great performance with some impressive results. Kris-Ann Plummer, a sophomore, finished third in the 800m with a seasonal best time of 2:13.47 while Arryona Simmons, a junior, placed seventh in the 100m hurdles with a time of 14.19 for the Golden Lions.

Plummer continued her momentum in the 1500m, placing fourth with a personal record time of 4:50.03. The Golden Lions relay team consisting of Leyone Smith, Arryona Simmons, Ashley Robinson, and Kalani Vreen set a seasonal best with a time of 46.37 in the 4 x 100m relay, and the 4 x 400m relay team (Ashley Robinson, Arryona Simmons, Kris-Ann Plummer, and Kalani Vreen) placed eighth with a time of 3:48.26.

In the throwing events, UAPB had two impressive performances. Junior Lyric Love set a personal record with a throw of 53.66m to place second in the hammer throw competition, and freshman Cornelia Watts placed sixth with a distance throw of 47.82. Watts continued to excel in the throwing events, placing third in the shot put with a throw of 13.41m.

Senior Jaylynn Hampton also made her mark by placing fourth in a good heat in the long jump competition with a leap of 1.64m but her drive and hard work paid off as she won the Heptathlon with a total of 4,903 points.

The Golden Lions on both teams are eagerly waiting for next weekend to see whether they have secured their spot in the NCAA West Regionals in Fayetteville, AR. The tournament is set to take place from May 22-25.