UA graduate Day leaves Hogs’ football program
FAYETTEVILLE — Repeatedly set back in football by injuries but never impeded academically, running back Juan Day, of North Little Rock, announced Wednesday on Twitter that after graduating in three years from the University of Arkansas with a degree in sports management that he will transfer as a graduate student with two years of football eligibility.
Day suffered a major knee injury while committed to sign with the Razorback in 2013 at North Little Rock High.
He redshirted recovering from the injury in 2014 and played one game in 2015 netting four carries for 17 yards in a nonconference victory over Tennessee-Martin.
Injured again, Day did not play in 2016. He reported healthy for spring ball and had some impressive scrimmages but finished the spring again injured and would have started fall behind even with junior top running back Rawleigh Williams’ career ended by a neck injury during spring drills.
Day on Twitter posted “Growing up it has always been my dream to play for the Razorbacks” and he thanked Arkansas coach Bret Bielema for giving him the opportunity to make that dream come true while taking pride in graduating in three years so he can continue graduate studies while transferring to continue his football career.
Upon Day’s announcement, Bielema tweeted, Job well done with a degree in hand after this summer & then best wishes on your next journey. Will help you explore new opportunities #WPS
— Nate Allen * Arkansas freshman golfer Mason Overstreet qualified for the NCAA championship with a final-round push Wednesday at the Baton Rouge, La., Regional.
Overstreet rolled in six birdies on a 5-under 67, moving 27 spots up the leaderboard and into sixth place, qualifying as an individual for the NCAA tournament May 26-31 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill. He tied for the third-lowest score for a Razorback at NCAA regionals.
Arkansas finished eighth overall at 299-301-293_893 (29 over par). Host LSU won the team title at 2 over while Duke, Oregon, Virginia and Jacksonville also will advance.
“I would really like to go with the team, but advancing to nationals as an individual is a huge honor,” said Overstreet. “I really had it working off the tee today and everything came easy for me. It feels great to get through as a freshman.”
* Henderson State’s women’s golf team is fourth after the first round of the NCAA Division II tournament in Findlay, Ohio.
Allison Davis’ 74, her second-best round of the year, sparked the Reddies Wednesday in their first national championship. Davis is tied for fifth after 18 holes, one stroke behind co-leaders from Regis, Dallas Baptist, Indianapolis and St. Mary’s.
Fayetteville junior Sarah Wright is tied for 19th at 77. Henderson, at 311, is 12 strokes behind leader Dallas Baptist and one stroke ahead of St. Mary’s and West Texas A&M.
Region and Great American Conference champion Arkansas Tech staggered to 11th place at 325, Pia Nunbhakdi leading the Golden Suns with a 78 and a tie for 22nd place.
The tournament continues through Saturday.