University of Arizona track stars Brigetta Barrett and Lawi Lalang set school records while falling just short of all-time NCAA marks at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark.
On Friday, junior Brigetta Barrett won the high jump, clearing an improved NCAA qualifying mark of 6-5.5 inches – just a half inch from the collegiate record of 6-6 held by Texas’ Destinee Hooker. Her clearance, a personal best, is currently No. 1 in the NCAA, No. 2 in the world, the Arizona school record, the Randal Tyson Track Center record and ranks in a five-way tie as the No.2 jump in collegiate history.
On Saturday, sophomore Lawi Lalang ran for the collegiate record in the mile – 3:55.0 by German Fernandez of Oklahoma State – and just missed it with his NCAA qualifying clocking of 3:55.09. His time, a personal best, currently ranks No. 1 in the NCAA and in the world this season, is the Arizona school record and is the No. 3 collegiate mile all-time.
"That was nice school record; we were focused on breaking the collegiate record but I'm very happy about the school record," distance coach James Li said on Saturday. "He ran the last half of the race by himself, which I think is the reason he missed it. He lost concentration for a bit but overall it was a great race by him, a huge personal best and he beat some really good runners."
Junior Nick Ross competed in his first collegiate heptathlon this weekend. An All-American and conference champion high jumper for the Cats, Ross is moving to the combined events with significant success. On Friday, day one of the two-day competition, Ross cleared 7-4.25 – tying the world record for the heptathlon high jump – and qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships. His jump currently ranks tied for No. 2 in the NCAA, is the Arizona heptathlon high jump record and ranks No. 3 on Arizona’s all-time top-10 list.
"Brigetta (Barrett) breaking the record was awesome; she knew she was ready to jump well," head coach Fred Harvey said on Friday. "Her whole preparation coming in here, she was on cloud nine the whole time and ready to go. With things going the way they did, and Nick Ross jumping really well, that fired her up and she was ready to get it done."
Junior Julie Labonté improved her own school record in the shot put. She won the event with a toss of 59-1.25 and qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships. Her throw currently ranks No. 2 in the NCAA. Senior Stephen Sambu also punched his ticket to the NCAA Indoor Championships, clocking a 7:51.59 in the 3,000 meters. His time is a personal best, currently ranks No. 5 in the NCAA and No. 2 on Arizona’s all-time list.
