EUGENE – On the sixth day of the U.S. Olympic Trials, Arkansas alums Nikki Hiltz and Sandi Morris advanced to the finals in the 1,500m and pole vault, respectively.
Razorback Destiny Huven began her Trials with a career-best time of 12.77 seconds in the 100m hurdles first round, moving to No. 4 on the UA all-time list. Gabbi Cunningham, a professional, recorded a season-best 13.16 to finish fifth in another 100m hurdle heat, advancing to the semifinal.
Morris easily advanced to the pole vault final by clearing 14-9 (4.50) on her first attempt, along with six others. Megan Houston, another Arkansas alum, did not clear the opening height of 13-9.25 (4.20).
In the 1,500m semifinal, Hiltz led her heat with a time of 4:01.40, finishing ahead of Sinclaire Johnson (4:01.68), Heather MacLean (4:02.09), and Cory McGee (4:02.09). Stephanie Brokaw placed 12th in the same heat with 4:19.28.
Khallifah Rosser advanced to the 400m hurdles final, finishing second in his heat with 49.72, behind Caleb Dean’s 48.92. Rai Benjamin led the field with 47.97.
In the 200m semifinal, Brittany Brown advanced to the final with a season-best 22.08, finishing runner-up to McKenzie Long’s 22.01. Razorback Rosey Effiong placed sixth in the same heat with 23.04, and Jada Baylark finished eighth in another heat with 23.20. Lance Lang ran 20.86 in the men’s 200m semifinal, finishing seventh in his heat.
At the Jamaica National Trials, Arkansas alum Jaydon Hibbert won the U20 long jump title with a wind-aided 26-2.25w (7.98) and a back-up mark of 25-4.5 (7.73). Hibbert will represent Jamaica in the World U20 Athletics Championships in Lima, Peru, later this summer. Razorback Romaine Beckford tied for third in the high jump with 7-2.5 (2.20). Andrenette Knight, training in Fayetteville, finished fourth in the 400m hurdles with 54.37. Rushell Clayton won the event in 52.51.
At the Canada Championships, Razorback Tiana LoStracco placed ninth in the 800m semifinal with 2:05.94, missing the final by less than a second. Alum Leroy Russell clocked 1:50.70 to place 15th in the men’s 800m semifinal.
