Steeplechase spill slows UA’s charge

Arkansas Razorbacks senior Cale Wallace was closing strong in the 3,000-meter steeplechase Friday night at the SEC Outdoor Championships in Columbia, S.C.

“Cale made a move big move with 500 meters to go and was running the top guys down,” Razorbacks Coach Chris Bucknam said. “I really think he would have gotten then if he hadn’t gone down.”

Wallace, who finished second in the steeplechase last year, hit a hurdle with 300 meters to go and fell to the track.

“Cale went down hard,” Bucknam said. “He did a great job of getting up and finishing.”

Wallace finished sixth in 9: 02.60 as the Razorbacks scored nine points in the steeplechase with seniors Aidan Swain taking fifth (8:59:00) and sophomore Kyle Levermore seventh (9:05.97).

“That was Aidan’s first SEC final and he showed no fear,” Bucknam said. “He ran a personal best.

“I’m extremely proud of him and how well he ran. He ran to win and got some big points for us.”

Alabama leads the meet with 54 points. Texas A&M is second with 38 points and Georgia third with 35. Arkansas is tied with Ole Miss for fourth with 31 points.

“We’ve gotten knocked down a couple times, but we’ve got a lot of guys going,” Bucknam said. “We’re still in it.”

Arkansas scored 14 points in the decathlon with junior Derek Jacobus taking fourth ( 7,635 points), sophomore Gabe Moore fifth (7,546) and seniors Brad Culp sixth (7,279) and Lane Austell seventh (7,179).

Freshman Harrison Schrage went 25-11½ to take fourth in the long jump for the Razorbacks to help offset senior Andreas Trajkovski and junior Travonn White — both All-Americans indoors — failing to score.

Schrage moved up to fourth place on his final jump.

“It’s a sign of what we think is going to be a great career for this kid,” Bucknam said. “He has a lot of potential and is a great competitor.”