Posted: November 14, 2005

Athletics: Arkansas Lands Talented Jumper in Early Signing Period

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas track and field program took advantage of the early signing period and received an outstanding commitment for its recruiting class when Alain Bailey of Kingston, Jamaica signed on to become a Razorback.

“It’s a huge signing for us,” Arkansas head coach John McDonnell said. “He can do it all. He can long and triple jump and be on the 4x100-meter relay, because he has that kind of speed. With him as an addition to our young jumpers I think we’ll be back to where we used to be in the jumps.”

Bailey is a versatile long, triple and high jumper at Kingston College. He was voted the country’s most outstanding high school athlete after he won all three events at the Jamaican National High School Championships.

His best marks include a wind-aided 25-10.25 in the long jump and 50-9.25 in the triple jump. In the high jump he has cleared 6-10.75.

“Alain Bailey is a positive addition to our program in every way,” Arkansas field events coach Dick Booth said. “He has the best long jump of any signee we’ve ever had and I’m excited because he’s also academically motivated.”