Bryant 4×400-meter relay team turned in the best time in the state so far this season.
Hornets’ team concept earns top honors at Cyclone Relays
EDITOR’S NOTE: In this time of COVID-19, with no sports action, BryantDaily.com will be posting past stories of Bryant athletics either posted on BryantDaily.com (from 2009 to the present) or published in the Bryant Times (from 1998 to 2008).
RUSSELLVILLE — The Bryant Hornets put together a complete team performance to capture the team championship at the 62nd annual Russellville Cyclone Relays on Friday night. The Hornets scored 107.5 points to earn the title over runner-up Conway (84 points). Cabot (68), North Little Rock (61), and Benton (58) rounded out the top 5 teams.
The meet was highlighted by the Hornets’ 4×400-meter relay team of Josh Robinson, Malik Dockery, Diante Woodson and Landon Abernathy who not only won but turned in the best time in the state so far this season at 3:26.13. It also was a State meet qualifying time. Cabot was second with a time of 3:29.38.
“That was, without a doubt, our best overall performance so far this season,” said Hornets head coach Steve Oury, regarding the meet championship. “It’s a real honor to win the Cyclone Relays, which is one of the most prestigious meets in the state of Arkansas. We had numerous athletes stepping up and setting personal records and earning valuable points. The fact that we only placed first in one event drives home the importance of the team concept. I’m really proud of our boys’ attitude and work ethic.”
The 18-team meet included seven Class 7A schools. In addition to Bryant, Conway, Cabot and North Little Rock, Rogers and Rogers Heritage were on hand along with Van Buren.
And there were other landmarks for the Hornets. John Carder finished second in the 3200 with a time of 9:39.12, which was the second fastest time in school history and second fastest in the state this season. Noah Eskew of Jessieville edged Carder with a time of 9:38.55.
“I though John Carder’s effort in the 3200 was phenomenal,” Oury said. “He and Noah Eskew of Jessieville put on a show.”
The 4×100 relay team of Mackenzie Martindale, Andre White, Woodson and Randy Thomas also turned in a State qualifying time of 43.11. They placed second only to North Little Rock at 42.75.
Robinson picked up second-place points in the high jump, clearing 6’2”. Benton’s Brandon Hunter edged him out for first, clearing 6’3”.
“It was great to see both the 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams pick up state meet qualifiers,” Oury noted. “I was also very happy to see Josh Robinson break through with a big personal record in the high jump.”
Robinson was also eighth in the triple jump, covering 39’4”.
Thomas had a personal-best in the 200-meter dash. His 22.94 was second behind North Little Rock’s Kennedy Lightner, who turned in a 21.64. White was fourth in 23.24.
The Hornets also picked up second-place points from Landon Abernathy and Madre Dixon. Abernathy earned second in the 300 hurdles with a time of 39.55, right on the heels of Conway’s Kevin Holder at 39.35.
Dixon was second in the shot with a heave of 47’9.5”. Russellville’s Matt Campbell won with a big put of 56’6”. Michael Chatmon was fifth for the Hornets at 43’7.25”. He also scored a seventh in the discus with a toss of 119.11”.
Abernathy was third in the 110 hurdles, running a 15.40 while Chris Barrientos took third in the 1600. His 4:28.84 was right there with winner Joseph Wittig of Greenwood (4:26.50) and Heber Springs’ Parker Ables (4:28.46).
Woodson and Dockery finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 400. Woodson ran a 51.71 with Dockery finishing in 51.75.
Martindale’s 11.50 was good for fourth in the 100-meter dash. White was sixth in 11.53.
In the 4×800 relay, Erik Gonzalez, Joshua Nelson, Chris Morgan and Eathan Devine combined on an 8:55.73, taking fifth.
Brandon Murray scored in both the long jump and the high jump. His long jump of 19’9” was good for seventh while his high jump of 5’10” tied for eighth.
In addition, Enrique Ramos produced a 2:03.20 clocking in the 800 to earn seventh.
The Hornets will be back in action Tuesday in Sheridan.
