Arkansas attempting to become fifth women’s program to sweep Division 1 indoor and outdoor team titles in same year, along with challenging for second outdoor crown in seniors’ decorated careers 

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

It took Arkansas more than three decades to build itself into one of the country’s elite women’s track and field programs, emerging from the shadow of a men’s team that had captured a combined 30 NCAA Division 1 indoor and outdoor championships since 1984.

Thanks to Payton Chadwick, Devin Clark, Desiree Freier, Tori Hoggard, Lexi Jacobus and Kiara Parker, the Razorbacks have managed to remain in the national spotlight since winning their first indoor team title in 2015.

Now, the Arkansas veterans are seeking an encore performance this week by pursuing a second career outdoor crown and possible sweep of both indoor and outdoor titles this year at the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas.

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“Having the opportunity at another national team title is unheard of,” Chadwick said. “Most people don’t get to use the term another and we are chasing a third national team title together.”

Beginning their careers in Fayetteville as the supporting cast to established champions like Dominique Scott, Taylor Ellis-Watson, Jessica Kamilos and Alex Gochenour, or following in the footsteps of All-Americans Sandi Morris and Chrishuna Williams, there was significant pressure on the Razorbacks’ promising young talents to not only maintain the standard of excellence, but elevate it throughout their careers.

Despite the sustained success of Oregon, the arrival of Georgia and USC as annual national championship contenders, along with overcoming adversity and rebounding from its own setbacks, Arkansas has continued to showcase both depth and determination as a result of the leadership of its resilient seniors.

“An NCAA championship team is so special, and it really has to come together so perfectly to pull off the win,” Jacobus said. “The fact that Tori, Payton, Devin, Kiara and myself were all a part of the championship team three years ago, for one, demonstrates how much young talent we had on the team back then, and two, just shows how we have all managed to go through a few bumps in the road but have recovered from them and continued to compete at the top of the collegiate ranks for four years now.

“Speaking for all of us, I can’t imagine a more special way to end our collegiate careers than to walk away indoor and outdoor national champs.”

Oregon was the last women’s team to win both Division 1 indoor and outdoor titles in 2017, contributing to a memorable triple crown as the only program in NCAA history to capture national titles in cross country, along with both track and field championships in the same school year.

Arkansas is attempting to join the Ducks, along with Arizona State, LSU and Texas, as only the fifth women’s program since 1983 to complete the sweep of indoor and outdoor track and field titles in the same year.

“Finishing my collegiate career with a NCAA championship sweep would be so stinkin’ awesome. I am so lucky and honored to be on a team with some amazing, dedicated, kind and competitive women, and I know we have all worked our butts off to be at this point,” Jacobus said. “If we can all go out there and execute like we did indoors, I know we can walk away with that title. I’m going to do everything in my power to do my part and cheer on the rest of my teammates as they take care of business as well.”

In addition to contributing to the team title March 8-9 in Birmingham, Ala., Jacobus also made history by becoming the first female athlete in Division 1 history to win three indoor pole vault championships.

The ensuing three months haven’t been as euphoric for the 2016 U.S. Olympian, as Jacobus has been slowed by injuries including her lower back, groin, hamstring and Achilles.

But the seven-time All-America first-team honoree still managed to overcome the pain and inconsistent training schedule to qualify May 24 at the West Regionals in Sacramento, Calif., giving her an opportunity to not only compete for a fifth career individual championship, but contribute valuable points along with Freier and Hoggard toward the Razorbacks’ latest title quest.

“Let’s just say this outdoor season has been rough,” Jacobus said. “But thankfully I was finally healthy enough to jump the week of SECs and into regionals, which allowed me to qualify for a fourth outdoor NCAAs. I honestly am just so happy and thankful that I am healthy enough right now to be competing in Austin.”

That spirit is also embodied in Clark, who was forced to redshirt during cross country season after dealing with recurring pain in her plantar fasciitis and Achilles, before returning to contribute to Arkansas’ fifth-place finish in the distance medley relay at the indoor finals, then qualifying for the outdoor championship meet in both the 3,000-meter steeplechase and 5,000.

“Eight months ago, I never thought I’d be out here again. My friends, my teammates, my coaches, my training staff encouraged me every single day to get back here, and it’s just great to be part of such a good team,” said Clark, who placed fifth in the 3,000 steeplechase in 2016 to contribute to the Razorbacks’ outdoor crown.

“I’m happy to be back and I’m happy to be surrounded by greatness again. Every day was a battle, but everybody got me through it.”

Although Arkansas boasts elite sprinters and hurdlers like Janeek Brown, Kethlin Campbell, Chadwick and Parker, the Razorbacks also face the challenge of going head to head against reigning outdoor champion USC in several individual events and both relays.

The presence of potential scorers in the distance events like Carina Viljoen, Taylor Werner and Clark, along with its talented pole vault trio, could be the deciding factors for Arkansas in returning to the top of the podium.

“The unique thing about Arkansas is that we have point scorers from different areas. We have sprinters, hurdlers, vaulters and distance runners,” Chadwick said. “If we do our jobs like we did at indoors and push each other through, we definitely have a shot at the outdoor national title. We are all capable of scoring points, it’s just a matter of executing each race.”

Arkansas had 13 athletes contribute to its 62-point total at the indoor championship meet, allowing the Razorbacks to rally past USC, which produced three individual national champions and accumulated 51 points.

Although USC and Arkansas have both 4x100 and 4x400 relays competing in the semifinals, the Razorbacks again have the edge in depth this week, with 11 individual entries to the Trojans’ seven.

“I feel like I’m needed here,” Clark said. “Every point counts and we’re up for another national title, which would be great. Just to be a part of that again is incredible.”

In addition to a potential sweep this year, Arkansas is also looking to become only the fifth women’s program in Division 1 history to capture multiple indoor and outdoor championships, joining LSU, Oregon, Texas and UCLA.

“With the quality of competition in the NCAA, both indoor and outdoor, there is never an opportunity to just relax and cruise through, so I think that had a lot of benefit for these upperclassmen,” Arkansas women’s coach Lance Harter said. “It’s a situation where when the opportunity does happen for a program like ours, we want to try to seize the moment as graciously as we can and hope that each and every athlete has a great experience.”

But the legacy of Arkansas’ talented seniors won’t be defined only by championships and records, but by longevity, continuing to demonstrate the ability to regroup and refocus when the significance of the stage is greatest and the moments are most meaningful.

“Sweeping the indoor and outdoor national titles would be the cherry on top considering this is my last NCAA meet. We got the triple crown this year (SEC cross country, indoor and outdoor track), so why not add the national title sweep as well?” Chadwick said. “My time at Arkansas has been a dream come true. I would’ve never imagined the amount of titles and accomplishments I’ve been able to be a part of. I’m proud that I get to be a part of Arkansas and coach Harter’s legacy and be an inspiration to younger athletes.”