Weekses score in pole vault

EUGENE, Ore. — Lexi Weeks had known nothing but success at Hayward Field, so placing second in the pole vault wasn’t hard for the Arkansas sophomore to accept.

Weeks, who won the 2016 national title and qualified for the Olympics in Eugene last year, cleared 14 feet, 7¼ inches during the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field on Thursday.

Kentucky sophomore Olivia Gruver won with a clearance of 14-9.

“I can’t be sad with second place,” Weeks said. “I was trying to win, but second place, I’m happy with it.”

Weeks’ twin sister, Tori, placed sixth at 14-5¼ and sophomore Desiree Freier tied for eighth at 13-7¼ as the second-ranked Razorbacks scored 11.2 points as the defending national champions with the 4x400 relay semifinals left to go.

Senior Daina Harper helped Arkansas get off to a strong start, running the third leg on the 4x100 relay that lowered the school record for a fourth time this spring to 43.34 seconds. The Razorbacks were second in their heat but third overall among the finalists.

“We have really good chemistry as a team and we work really hard,” Harper

said. “We’re really excited to see what we can do on Saturday.”

Harper also will be busy in her specialty, the 400, after cruising home second in the third heat in 51.92. That put her sixth in a fast field led by Chrisann Gordon of Texas at 50.39.

“My whole goal for outdoor was to go 50-point and I have the competitors to do that, so that will definitely be my goal,” Harper said. “Top three, of course, but why not go for the win, so that’s the goal.”

Nikki Hiltz, a redshirt junior who transferred from Oregon two years ago, recorded a personal best of 4:10.80 in her return to Eugene to finish second in the heat of the 1,500 that produced seven of the 12 finalists.

Hiltz went wide coming off the final curve as six runners reeled in Notre Dame’s Jessica Harris, who built a decisive lead over the first three laps.

“I wasn’t concerned,” Hiltz said. “It was honestly fun coming down the homestretch, because we were all kicking and working hard, and it was cool to have that many people around me.

“This is a really good field and I’m excited.”

Hiltz, from Santa Cruz, Calif., said it didn’t take long for her to feel at home on her former track.

“It’s weird at first, but I love Hayward and I love the fans,” Hiltz said. “I don’t think the fans or the magic is reserved just for the Ducks. I think it’s for everyone and I loved it.”

Hiltz’s roommate and training partner, senior Therese Haiss, another ex-Duck, didn’t advance after placing 22nd in 4:23.53.

The Razorbacks missed in the 100 as sophomore Kiara

Parker and freshman Jada Baylark finished sixth (11.50) and eighth (11.61), respectively, in the first of three heats. Sophomore Damajahnee Birch was fifth in her heat of the 400 hurdles in 58.56.

In the second day of the decathlon, sophomore Gabe Moore placed 13th with 7,527 points, and junior Derek Jacobus was 18th with 7,126. Collegiate record-holder Lindon Victor of Texas A&M won with 8,390.

Arkansas State’s lone competitor on Thursday, senior Erin Farmer, placed ninth in the shot put with a mark of 54-7¼.