Invitational pits ‘best of best’

FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks’ men’s and women’s defending SEC champion indoor track and field teams will get a preview of what to expect at the conference and national meets when they host the Razorback Invitational today and Saturday at the Randal Tyson Center.

The No. 2-ranked University of Arkansas, Fayetteville is among nine ranked women’s teams competing and the No. 7 Razorbacks are among six ranked men’s teams.

“We’re going to have to be ready to go, because the competition escalates from warm to right into the fire,” Arkansas

women’s Coach Lance Harter said. “Having a lot of our SEC buddies here, you’re talking about the best of the best in the U.S.”

The women’s field includes No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Southern California, No. 5 Florida, No. 7 Texas A&M, No. 9 LSU, No. 10 Ole Miss, No. 22 Iowa State and No. 24 Kansas State.

Men’s teams competing include No. 1 Florida, No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 13 Southern California and No. 23 Florida State.

“It’s always good to compete against other great teams and see how we measure up,” Arkansas men’s Coach Chris Bucknam said. “See how kids react to the best competition, so we can evaluate and move forward.

“We’re in the business now of trying to get kids ready for the SEC meet and qualified for the national championships, and this is a great opportunity because of the level of competition.”

The SEC Network will televise the meet live starting at 1 p.m. Saturday.

“That’s great television exposure for our sport,” Harter said. “It helps everyone.”