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#UAPBTrack&Field: Golden Lions Deliver Standout Performances at Memphis Invitational

5/4/2025 10:03:00 AM

MEMPHIS, TN. – The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) men's and women's track and field teams delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 Memphis Invitational, hosted by the University of Memphis. With the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Outdoor Championships approaching, the Golden Lions showcased their championship potential across a variety of events.

The men's team delivered a series of outstanding performances on the track. Junior Che Rochford finished 4th in the 100 meters with a time of 10.70 seconds, while junior Khalel Dillon placed 4th in the 110-meter hurdles, finishing in 14.39 seconds.

In the 400 meters, UAPB dominated the leaderboard with three top-10 finishes: sophomore Jordan Pierre led the group in 5th place with a time of 47.91 seconds, followed by junior Genesis Joseph in 8th at 49.32 seconds and junior Clerkley Gregory in 9th at 49.34 seconds.

Relay performance was exceptional as UAPB secured first place in the 4x100 meter relay, with the team of Ross Walrond, Pierre, Jared Sylvester, and Dwight Henry posting a meet-best time of 40.71 seconds. The 4x400 meter relay squad, featuring Christopher Coleman, Avindale Smith, Joseph, and Gregory, finished second overall with a time of 3:27.15.
In field events, sophomore Pierre Brownlee-Ford claimed first place in the long jump with a mark of 7.56 meters, while freshman Bryce Smith reached 1.90 meters in the high jump to secure a top-4 finish. Junior Anthony Fuqua placed 5th in the triple jump with a leap of 15.16 meters.

Rochford demonstrated his versatility in the throws, placing in all three events: 14.59 meters in the shot put, 40.46 meters in the discus, and 50.05 meters in the javelin, earning valuable points across multiple disciplines.

On the women's side, junior Leyone Smith led the team in the 100 meters, finishing 4th with a time of 12.02 seconds. In the 200 meters, junior Cadese Higgins placed 5th with a time of 25.12 seconds, closely followed by Arryona Simmons, who secured 8th place at 24.75 seconds.

In middle-distance events, senior Kris-Ann Plummer finished 5th in the 1500 meters with a time of 4:48.41, while teammate Abigail Pinnock came in 9th at 5:04.07, demonstrating the team's endurance strength.

UAPB's 4x100 meter relay team of Kalani Vreen, Ashley Robinson, Cadese Robinson, and Arryona Simmons earned a 3rd-place finish, crossing the line in 47.78 seconds.
The women's field athletes also excelled. Sophomore Cornelia Watts placed 3rd in the shot put with a distance of 13.17 meters, while senior Kaelyn Kimble took 7th in the discus with a mark of 37.85 meters. In the hammer throw, senior Lyric Love finished 6th with a distance of 50.58 meters, and Watts added to her impressive meet with an 8th-place finish, throwing 45.25 meters.

Looking Ahead
With the 2025 SWAC Outdoor Championships set for May 11–13 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, UAPB appears poised for a strong showing. The Memphis Invitational served as the final tune-up for the Golden Lions, and the results indicate the team is peaking at the right time

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