Jada Baylark, an Arkansas Razorbacks freshman from Little Rock Parkview, is headed to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Baylark grabbed the 12th and final qualifying spot in the 100 meters Friday night at the NCAA West Preliminaries in Austin, Texas, where she ran a wind-aided 11.20 seconds.
The top 12 finishers among 48 entries in each event at the East and West prelims advance to the NCAA Championships June 7-10 in Eugene, Ore.
Baylark was the only freshman to advance in Eugene out of the West in the 100. She also advanced to the second round of tonight's 200, running 23.28 in the first round, and will run on the 400 relay.
Lance Harter, coach of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville women's team, said Baylark's performance Friday night was a pleasant surprise.
"We recruited her primarily as a jumper," Harter said. "We knew she could sprint, but probably not at this level.
"Her improvement has just been absolutely startling. She did an awesome job executing her race."
Harter credited Arkansas assistant Chris Johnson with helping Baylark -- the Arkansas high school Gatorade track and field athlete of the year as a senior -- develop as sprinter.
"Chris has said she just comes on and comes on and comes on," Harter said. "She really rose up at this meet.
"It's very rare that a freshman ever makes it to the national meet, even to the first round. It's very difficult because of the standard you have to achieve."
Arkansas senior Daina Harper, who swept SEC indoor and outdoor titles in the 400, ran 52.45 -- third-fastest among the qualifiers -- to advance to Eugene.
"Daina just took care of business," Harter said. "She looked fantastic."
Razorbacks sophomore Kiara Parker advanced to Eugene in the 100 (11.19) and to the second round in the 200 (23.05). She also will run on the 400 relay tonight.
In men's competition Arkansas junior Kemar Mowatt, the SEC champion, ran 49.10 in the 400 hurdles to advance.
"Kemar looks real good," said Chris Bucknam, coach of the Razorbacks' men's team. "He's starting to put a bunch of fast times together.
"I'm just happy to see him move on along with our other guys. It was a good day."
Junior Travius Chambers (50.95) also advanced for Arkansas in the 400 hurdles.
Arkansas State junior Jaylen Bacon ran the second-fastest among the sprinters advancing to Eugene in the 100 with a wind-aided 9.97. Bacon ran 20.18 in the 200 to lead all qualifiers advancing to tonight's final.
Arkansas junior Kenzo Cotton had a wind-aided 10.10 to advance to Eugene and advanced to the second round of the 200 in 20.20.
Razorbacks sophomores Obi Igbokwe (45.72 in the 400) and Carlton Orange (1:48.03 in the 800) advanced to Eugene.
Orange was an All-American indoors as a freshman and earlier this year, but he didn't qualify for the NCAA outdoor meet last year.
"I'm happy for Carlton," Bucknam said. "He seems to be finding his rhythm outdoors now."
Arkansas seniors Clive Pullen (triple jump) and Ken LeGassey (high jump) have been slowed by hamstring injuries, but will compete tonight.
Pullen, a two-time NCAA indoor champion, couldn't run full speed at the SEC meet, but finished fourth. LeGassey, an All-American, missed the SEC meet.
"Clive looks good," Bucknam said. "I think he'll be ready to roll, and Kenny as well."
NCAA WEST PRELIMINARIES
Athletes from Arkansas schools advancing at Friday’s events in Austin, Texas:
ARKANSAS MEN
Kemar Mowatt, 400 hurdles, 49.10 (to NCAA Championships)
Travius Chambers, 400 hurdles, 50.85 (to NCAA Championships)
Kenzo Cotton, 100, 10.10 (to NCAA Championships)
Kenzo Cotton, 200, 20.20 (to 2nd round today)
Obi Igbokwe, 400, 45.72 (to NCAA Championships)
Carlton Orange, 800, 1:48.03 (to NCAA Championships)
Josh Washington, 200, 20.60 (to 2nd round today)
Roy Ejiakuekwu, 200, 20.65 (to 2nd round today)
Kevin Harris, 200, 20.89 (to 2nd round today)
ARKANSAS WOMEN
Daina Harper, 400, 51.45 (to NCAA Championships)
Kiara Parker, 100, 11.19 (to NCAA Championships)
Kiara Parter, 200 meters, 23.05 (to 2nd round today)
Jada Baylark, 100, 11.29 (to NCAA Championships)
Jada Baylark, 200, 23.28 (to 2nd round today)
Damajahnee Birch, 400 hurdles, 57.77 (to NCAA Championships)
ARKANSAS STATE MEN
Jaylen Bacon, 100, 9.97 (to NCAA Championships)
Jaylen Bacon, 200, 20.18 (to 2nd round today)
ARKANSAS STATE WOMEN
Calea Carr, discus, 175-9 (to NCAA Championships)
UALR MEN
Desmond Mapps, 200, 20.95 (to 2nd round today)
Sports on 05/27/2017