STARKVILLE, Miss. — The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff track and field program made its presence known at the Alumni Bulldogs Relays hosted by Mississippi State this weekend, with several Golden Lions delivering top-eight finishes to kick off the outdoor season.
Senior Arryona Simmons set the tone for the women's side, claiming fourth place in the Women's 100 Meter Hurdles with a time of 14.02 seconds. Fellow hurdler T'Kyla Bennett matched that placement in the Women's 400 Meter Hurdles, crossing the line in 1:00.89 to earn another top-four finish for UAPB. The women's sprint relay unit also contributed, as the A-squad of Leyone Smith, Arryona Simmons, Kalani Vreen, and Praise Onye Franklin finished fifth in the Women's 4x100 Relay with a time of 46.51.
In the field events, freshman Amora Lowe turned in one of the day's most impressive performances for the Lady Lions, placing fourth in the Women's Triple Jump with a mark of 11.99 meters (39' 4"), showcasing the program's growing depth in horizontal jumps.
On the men's side, senior Anthony Fuqua was the standout of the meet, capturing second place in the Men's Triple Jump with a leap of 15.14 meters (49' 8.25"). It was a performance that announced UAPB's presence on the men's field events circuit right out of the gate. Senior Che Rochford rounded out the men's top-eight finishers, placing eighth in the Men's 400 Meters with a time of 48.06 seconds.
Additional UAPB results from the Alumni Bulldogs Relays:
- Kalani Vreen – Women's 100m, 16th (12.19)
- Leyone Smith – Women's 100m, 19th (12.25); Women's 200m, 16th (24.53)
- Madison Moss – Women's 100m, 38th (12.74); Women's 200m, 31st (25.85); Women's 100H, 19th (15.65)
- Arryona Simmons – Women's 200m, 12th (24.29)
- Praise Onye Franklin – Women's 200m, 22nd (25.10)
- Destinie Woodall – Women's 200m, 33rd (25.99); Women's 400m, 13th (59.11)
- Diamonae Thomas – Women's 200m, 34th (26.10); Women's 100H, 12th (14.80)
- Lela Singleton – Women's 200m, 35th (26.15); Women's 400m, 20th (1:00.61)
- Chandan Hester – Women's 200m, 39th (26.90); Women's 400m, 29th (1:03.95)
- Kris-Ann Plummer – Women's 400m, 10th (58.30)
- Glorie Kabuin – Women's 5000m, 9th (19:03.92)
- Cornelia Watts – Women's Shot Put, 10th (12.99m/42' 7.5"); Women's Discus, 16th (37.45m/122' 10"); Women's Hammer, 10th (47.55m/156' 0")
- Nicholas Byrd – Men's 200m, 12th (21.23)
- Jaxson Campbell – Men's 200m, 20th (21.94)
- Bryce White – Men's 200m, 31st (22.59); Men's High Jump, 12th (1.85m/6' 0.75")
- Christopher Coleman – Men's 400m, 10th (48.42)
- Clerkley Gregory – Men's 400m, 38th (53.48)
- Altaveon Grant – Men's 1500m, 13th (4:09.21)
- Genesis Joseph – Men's 1500m, 19th (4:17.41)
- Kevin Horns – Men's 1500m, 25th (4:30.00)
- Che Rochford – Men's 110H, 13th (15.14); Men's Discus, 23rd (40.89m/134' 2")
