Spring Break
Track Hogs travel to historic Penn Relays
Derek Oxford
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Sports
Shockwaves were sent through the track and field program earlier this week when head coach John McDonnell announced that he would retire, effective at the end of the outdoor season.
But there is still a season to finish, and it continues this weekend with the 114th running of the historic Penn Relays.
Arkansas has participated in this event in each of the last 25 years, except for 2001, when the team competed in the Drake Relays.
The Razorbacks, currently ranked No. 12, will travel to Philadelphia's Franklin Field in hopes of continuing the progress they have been making all season.
Arkansas will compete in the 4x800 relay, the 4x1,600 relay, the sprint medley relay and the distance medley relay.
But the event isn't all about relays - some Razorbacks will compete in a variety of distance events, and sprinter J-Mee Samuels will run the 100 meters.
In addition to the runners, Arkansas' standout crew of jumpers will also be on hand to take part in the meet.
McDonnell's teams have usually fared well in Pennsylvania, and with this being the last go-around for the departing head coach, it should inspire the team to go out and get the job done one last time.
McDonnell said he knows he has athletes that are capable of continuing the tradition that has been built at Arkansas in track and field.
"It was a very tough decision to make, especially leaving a bunch of great athletes," McDonnell said. "I know they will be in good hands. Otherwise I wouldn't have left."
Those athletes are looking for a solid performance in the meet this weekend, when a good showing would help inspire the current Razorbacks to continue to chase that 43rd national championship.
Arkansas has a winning tradition at the Penn Relays, having won 42 titles at the event.
Only Michigan, Penn and Villanova have won as many or more events at the Penn Relays than Arkansas.
Spearmon on hand
Former Razorback sprinter Wallace Spearmon will also be competing in the Penn Relays this weekend.
The Fayetteville native will be running in the 4x100-meter relay. ESPN 2 will broadcast the event as part of coverage of the USA vs. the World Challenge.
That coverage begins at 1 p.m.
But there is still a season to finish, and it continues this weekend with the 114th running of the historic Penn Relays.
Arkansas has participated in this event in each of the last 25 years, except for 2001, when the team competed in the Drake Relays.
The Razorbacks, currently ranked No. 12, will travel to Philadelphia's Franklin Field in hopes of continuing the progress they have been making all season.
Arkansas will compete in the 4x800 relay, the 4x1,600 relay, the sprint medley relay and the distance medley relay.
But the event isn't all about relays - some Razorbacks will compete in a variety of distance events, and sprinter J-Mee Samuels will run the 100 meters.
In addition to the runners, Arkansas' standout crew of jumpers will also be on hand to take part in the meet.
McDonnell's teams have usually fared well in Pennsylvania, and with this being the last go-around for the departing head coach, it should inspire the team to go out and get the job done one last time.
McDonnell said he knows he has athletes that are capable of continuing the tradition that has been built at Arkansas in track and field.
"It was a very tough decision to make, especially leaving a bunch of great athletes," McDonnell said. "I know they will be in good hands. Otherwise I wouldn't have left."
Those athletes are looking for a solid performance in the meet this weekend, when a good showing would help inspire the current Razorbacks to continue to chase that 43rd national championship.
Arkansas has a winning tradition at the Penn Relays, having won 42 titles at the event.
Only Michigan, Penn and Villanova have won as many or more events at the Penn Relays than Arkansas.
Spearmon on hand
Former Razorback sprinter Wallace Spearmon will also be competing in the Penn Relays this weekend.
The Fayetteville native will be running in the 4x100-meter relay. ESPN 2 will broadcast the event as part of coverage of the USA vs. the World Challenge.
That coverage begins at 1 p.m.
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