Steeplechase debut earns Andrew Kibet a victory in Hog sweep
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A debut effort in the 3,000m steeplechase produced a victory for Andrew Kibet at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational on Friday evening. Competing in the rain, Kibet let a 1-2-3 finish by the Razorbacks with a winning time of 8 minutes, 53.12 seconds, the top time in the SEC this season.
Emmanuel Cheboson, who last ran the steeple in high school, finished second in 9:07.37 while Carter Persyn clocked 9:07.54 in third.
“It felt awesome until the last four laps,” noted Kibet, who set a mile PR of 4:02.27 indoors this season. “The barriers started feeling higher, but I’m excited for the race. I’m pleased with the time and I know I can do better.”
Cheboson added: “It was a good race, but the jumps were not so good. I need to work on the jumps and I hope it will be fine the next time.”
Persyn, who hasn’t raced in this event since 2019 and set his career best in 2018, said racing in the rain was no issue. “The elements make it a little more fun racing in Florida.”
Despite the pole vault being delayed due to lightning in the area, Etamar Bhastekar claimed the victory with a clearance of 17-2 ¾ (5.25) while teammates Rhett Nelson (16-0 ¾ | 4.90) and Braedon Maddox (15-7 | 4.75) finished fifth and eighth.
Distance runners Luke Meade and Matt Young competed in the 1,500m to work on speed and both produced career best times while racing in inclement conditions. Meade finished eighth in 3:46.00 while Young was 11th in 3:48.09.
Racing when it was raining a bit heavier, the Arkansas sprint crew in the 200m was led by a 21.01 by Jalen Brown for fourth place. Following were James Milholen (21.39), Jeremy Farr (21.60) and Cade Clark (21.74).
In the 400m hurdles a 51.09 for Nick Hilson placed him third while Tre’Bien Gilbert won his section in 52.04 to finish seventh overall. Carl Elliott, III ran 53.83 in the same section as Gilbert to place 10th.
LaQuan Nairn opened his outdoor season in the long jump with a leap of 24-5 (7.44) while John Baker reached a distance of 24-3 ½ (7.40) as the pair placed sixth and seventh.
Decathlete Markus Ballengee turned in an impressive career best in the discus with a toss of 170-2 (51.87) and placed eighth overall. Then in the javelin, Ballengee hit a mark of 144-11 (44.17) to finish fourth.