Posted: February 22, 2005

Athletics: UA Hangs On to No. 1 as Hogs Prepare for SEC Championships

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas extended its stay on top of the collegiate track and field scene and when it was ranked No. 1 for the seventh-consecutive week in the latest Trackwire 25 rankings released on Tuesday, Feb. 22. The Hogs were given 76 points and have a substantial lead over second place Indiana (44).

With the Southeastern Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships being held this weekend in Fayetteville, Ark., the Hogs will encounter strong competition, as UA is one of four league teams ranked in the top 10. There is a three-way tie for third place (31) between Michigan, Florida and Wisconsin.

Texas fell to sixth (28) and Nebraska is at No. 7 with 24 points. A pair of SEC programs, including defending NCAA champion LSU and Auburn, are tied for eighth place with 23 points. Florida State rounded out the top 10 as it tallied 20 points.

The Trackwire 25 is a power ranking of NCAA Division I track and field teams. The rankings’ methodology takes into account a variety of statistical predictors and is intended to project the outcome of the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships to be held in Fayetteville, Ark., on March 11-12.

Arkansas continues to be well represented in Trackwire’s Dandy Dozen. Nine Razorback athletes and two relay teams were ranked among the top 12 collegiate athletes and teams in each NCAA event.

Junior sprinting star Tyson Gay is ranked in two events. He is No. 1 in the 60-meter dash and No. 2 in the 200-meter dash, while teammate and sophomore Wallace Spearmon Jr., took the top spot in the 200 as the national outdoor champion and current world leader in the event. Senior Omar Brown is also listed in the 200 at No. 11.

Senior Terry Gatson has been improving his performances in the 400 meters at every meet and is listed as No. 8 in the event.

In the mile run junior Said Ahmed is listed at No. 3, while senior James Hatch is the lone Razorback in the 800 meters in fifth place.

A pair of Hogs made it on the 3,000-meter list. Sophomore transfer Peter Kosgei is leading the way in third and junior Josphat Boit is sixth. Kosgei made an impressive move up the 5,000-meter list and is ranked second, while Boit is seventh.

Senior Jaanus Uudmae is the only Razorback ranked in a field event. He is fourth in the triple jump.

Arkansas’ reputation to consistently produce quality distance medley relay teams has the Hogs in second, behind defending NCAA champion Michigan. UA’s 4x400-meter relay is also highly regarded and advanced to the No. 4 position after turning in a solid time at the Powered by Tyson Invitational.