Posted: April 27, 2007

Athletics: Arkansas’ Barnicle Fifth at Penn Relays 5K

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Arkansas track and field kicked off the 113th Penn Relays on a chilly Thursday night in Philadelphia at historic Franklin Field. Chris Barnicle finished fifth, of 35 competitors, in the 5,000 meters championship. Clocking a personal best 14:02.19, he bettered his NCAA regional-qualifying mark of 14:07.57, run at Texas Relays. “I got a little too excited and I moved a little too early,” Barnicle said. “I jumped the gun a little bit. I’m always happy with a personal best and I’m definitely happy with the race.” James Strang and Tyler Hill were in the lead pack for most of the race but after 3,000 meters they faded from the lead pack. Hill finished 20th with a time of 14:20.06 and Strang was 22nd, clocking a 14:22.80. Both have already qualified for the NCAA Regional Championships. Scott MacPherson made his 3,000-meter steeple chase debut tonight but it was cut short after he hit the hurdle at the 600-meter mark. MacPherson recovered and tried to finish but stepped off the track. He was not hurt during the fall and walked off the track on his on. For complete results of Penn Relays, visit www.pennrelaysonline.com.