Scottie Vines becomes US, collegiate leader with 7-6 win

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas freshman Scottie Vines became the American and collegiate leader in the high jump this season with a winning clearance of 7 feet, 6 inches (2.29) at the Tyson Invitational on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Tyrice Taylor won the 800m in 1:46.62, just missing the Jamaican national record by 0.01 of a second as he moved to No. 3 on the UA all-time list and No. 2 on the Jamaican all-time indoor list.

A close finish had Taylor edging out TCU’s Lloyd Frilot (1:46.82), Oregon’s Matthew Erickson (1:46.89), and Iowa State’s Darius Kipyego (1:47.00).

The 6-5 Vines made his indoor debut two weeks ago, clearing 7-3 (2.21) to win the Razorback Invitational. Opening at 6-10.75 (2.10), Vines navigated six bars in producing a second victory this season.

Vines needed three attempts to get over 7-2.5 (2.20) and then made 7-3.75 (2.23) on one attempt. Two jumps were needed at 7-5 (2.26), and Vines cleared 7-6 on his first attempt. Then he raised the bar to the meet record height of 7-7.75 (2.33) shared by three jumpers, but missed on his three attempts.

Vernon Turner, an Oklahoma alum who is one of the three to hold the meet record, placed second with a 7-3.75 clearance. Jamaican Raymond Richards tied Turner for second place while Arkansas alum Romaine Beckford finished fifth with a height of 7-2.5 (2.20).

Vines moves to No. 3 on the UA all-time list behind Ray Doakes (7-7.25 | 2.32) and Kenny Evans (7-7 | 2.31).

​Arkansas won the 4 x 400m relay in 3:03.51, which is No. 7 on the UA all-time list, in defeating Florida (3:04.24). The Razorback foursome included Steven McElroy (46.26), TJ Tomlyanovich (46.33), Brandon Battle (45.60), and Jaden Smith (45.32).

Arkansas sprinters finished third through seventh in the 200m, led by a 20.79 from Connor Washington. McElroy finished second in another section with a 20.82 behind overall winner Kashie Crockett of TCU (20.68).

Alum Lance Lang clocked 20.84 to finish fifth overall while Tevijon Williams (20.88) and Smith (20.90) were sixth and seventh.

Apalos Edwards placed second in the triple jump with a 53-7 (16.33) mark as Missouri’s Jonathan Seremes won with a 55-2.75 (16.83) leap.

Ben Shearer finished third in the mile with a 3:58.60 while Patrick Kiprop was runner-up in another section with a 4:01.96.