Posted: April 24, 2007

Athletics: J-Mee Samuels Earns SEC Weekly Accolade

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas sophomore J-Mee Samuels has been named the SEC runner of the week, it was announced by the conference office on Tuesday. A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Samuels earned the weekly award for the second time in his young Razorback career. He was also honored as the SEC runner of the week January 16. Samuels recorded two individual NCAA regional-qualifying marks, his first as a Razorback, and anchored the 4x100-meter relay to a NCAA regional-qualifying mark at the John McDonnell Invitational. Samuels was the top collegiate finisher in both the 100 meters and 200 meters. He finished second in both races to former Hog, Olympian and World Champion Wallace Spearmon. Samuels' time in the 100 meters, 10.13, is currently the third-fastest in the nation, leads the SEC and is the fourth-fastest time run in Arkansas school history. Currently, 10.13 is also the seventh-fastest wind-aided time run in the world this season. His time in the 200 meters, 20.63, is the sixth-fastest time in the nation, is the second-fastest time in the SEC and is the 10th-fastest time run in Arkansas school history. Currently, 20.63 is also the fourth-fastest wind-aided time run in the world this season. The 4x100-meter relay was also the top collegiate finisher. They finished second to Pure Speed Track Club whose squad consisted of professionals Tyson Gay, Spearmon, Aaron Armstrong and Melvin Lister. Samuels, who took the baton in second place, nearly caught Lister at the line. Samuels is the first Razorback sprinter to qualify for the regional championships since 2005. The Razorbacks did not regionally qualify an athlete in an event shorter then 800 meters in 2006. Arkansas will travel to Philadelphia, Pa., this weekend to compete in the historic Penn Relays, April 26-28.