Arkansas Track: IAAF World Championships Update

The first weekend of the IAAF World Championships were a good one for former Hogs. A handful competed but it was especially good for three in particular.

Jarrion Lawson was the first to medal, getting a silver in the long jump. His longest jump of 8.44 meters was just behind the gold medal jump of 8.48 from Luvo Manyonga of South Africa. Lawson was the lone American in the final and had the second, third, fourth, and fifth longest jump of the finals.

The next day it was the Women’s Pole Vault final, where Sandi Morris was the second former Razorback to get a silver medal. After just missing gold in the Rio Olympics, Morris was one of the favorites in the event. She was one of two athletes to clear 4.75 meters, but couldn’t keep pace with Gold Medal winner Ekaterini Stefanidi of Greece.

The next big result happened Sunday as well. Omar McLeod, representing Jamaica, had the top semifinal time of the 110 meter hurdles. McLeod is the defending Olympic champion in the event and is the favorite in the final. It will be on NBCSN around 3:30 CT.

In the next couple of days, Clive Pullen will attempt to advance to the finals in the Triple Jump, and event he won the NCAA Championship for twice. Kemar Mowatt, the only current Razorback, will attempt to advance to the finals in the 400 hurdles. Stanley Kebenei will also compete in the Steeplechase final, he had the 12th best time in the qualifying round.