Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Sends Three To Arkansas Qualifier
February 18, 2016 | Track and Field
Kyle Thompson will be one of three Red Raider pole vaulters in Fayetteville this weekend.
Feb. 18, 2016
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech track & field will send three pole vaulters to compete at the Arkansas Qualifier on Friday, Feb. 19, at the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville.
Brandon Bray matches his PR after sailing over 5.31m/17-5 on his first attempt! pic.twitter.com/0GkwXkbfbp
-- TTU Track & Field/XC (@TTU_TF_XC) February 13, 2016
The Arkansas Qualifier will be streamed live on WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app beginning at 4:30 p.m., but the best way to follow along will be on Twitter at @TTU_TF_XC. Live results can also be found at FlashResults.com.
Along with host Arkansas, the trio of Red Raiders will face competitors from Arkansas Baptist, Baylor, Houston, Kansas, Missouri State and Oral Roberts.
Haley Cook is coming off her first event win of 2016 last weekend at the Tyson Invitational. Cook recorded the victory after being the only one in the field to sail over the bar at 4.15m/13-7.25 on the first attempt. The mark was just two inches off her personal-best of 4.20m/13-9.25, which she set the week before at the New Mexico Classic.
Cook will be looking for her first berth to the NCAA Championships, sitting just outside the qualifying range at No. 21. Heading into this weekend, the cutoff mark sits at 4.28m/14-0.5. At the Tyson Invitational last weekend, Cook had three attempts at 4.30m/14-1.25, coming close to clearing the height, a mark that would put her at No. 11 in the country, inside the top 16 who qualify.
With the Big 12 Championships looming next week, Cook currently ranks fifth in the conference, but is only eight inches from the leader at 4.40m/14-5.25.
After Cook wraps up on Friday, Bray and Thompson will have their crack at improving their NCAA Championship qualifying standings. Coming into this weekend's competition, Bray ranks 16th in the NCAA, while Thompson is No. 26. Last weekend at the Tyson Invitational, Bray matched his PR of 5.31m/17-5, set earlier this season at the Texas A&M Quadrangular, to finish third among collegiate competitors.
Thompson posted his third-straight clearance of 17'-0" or better at the Tyson Invitational, going 17-1/5.21 to finish seventh among college athletes. Two weeks ago, he also matched his personal best of 5.27m/17-3.5 at the New Mexico Classic.
The Arkansas Qualifier will also serve as the final tune-up before the Big 12 Championships on Feb. 26-27, in Ames, Iowa.
Players Mentioned
