May is the month for setting records in Arkansas high-school track, but today's Lake Hamilton Invitational should offer exciting state-meet previews in both divisions of at least one event.
Record-setting vaulter Lexi Weeks and sister Tori of Cabot are scheduled to particiapte today at Bank of the Ozarks Field, said their personal coach, Morry Sanders. The future Arkansas Razorbacks are products of Sanders' Arkansas Vault Club in Montgomery County, where in February Lexi Weeks set an indoor national record of 14 feet, 3 1/4 inches.
Competing in a USA Track and Field-sanctioned event, Weeks bettered the previous national indoor mark of 14-2 3/4. "According to the rules, she had to beat the record by at least a centimeter," Sanders said.
The Arkansas Activities Association recognizes Weeks' overall state outdoor record of 14 feet, set at the 2014 Meet of Champions. Arkansas outdoor high-school records are official only if set at a state classification meet (Cabot competes in the 7A meet May 7 at Fayetteville) or the Meet of Champs (May 16 in Russellville).
Lake Hamilton's Nick Johnson is one to watch in the boys' pole vault, Sanders said, after a career-best jump of 15-9 at the Lakeside Ram Relays. That was the first spring outdoor meet for the defending Class 6A champion, who won the state indoor title (recognized by Arkansas Track Coaches Association) this year with 15-6.
Johnson cleared 15 feet and a half-inch for third place in the University of Arkansas' John McDonnell Invitational last week in Fayetteville. "He's not very big, so when we change poles with him it makes a difference," Sanders said. "When we went to the bigger pole last week, he never could get the tailwind he needed. He'd get in the pole-vault pit and the wind would just stop."
Sanders expects Johnson to reach peak form in time for his Class 6A title defense May 7 at Bank of the Ozarks Field.
"By May, he'll be ready to go," said Sanders, Lake Hamilton's vault coach. "He's been bothered by some injuries but he's working hard to get ready and by May should be back in shape."
November 2014 Arkansas signees, Lexi Weeks cleared 14-1 1/4 and Tori Weeks 13-8 1/4 at the McDonnell Invitational. Lexi might have an edge over her sister, although the topic remains under discussion, Sanders said.
"Lexi might be a little better, a little more consistent, but both have the same ability," said Sanders, a 16-8 vaulter at Lake Hamilton who later competed at Arkansas State.
Field events begin at 3:30 p.m. and running events at 5:30 p.m.
Sports on 04/17/2015