Little Rock’s track and field team will compete at the Arkansas Spring Invite in Fayetteville on April 11. The meet, held at John McDonnell Field, marks the team’s return to competition after a break of more than a week.
The Arkansas Spring Invite brings together strong Division I programs such as Oklahoma State and Tulsa, along with leading Division II teams. An invite section is included for the fastest athletes from participating schools. John McDonnell Field regularly hosts major events like the NCAA West Preliminary Round and has previously been the site of the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Head coach J.P. Behnke said, “This is a good opportunity for us to keep building and see where we’re at. We’re focused on continuing our progress and putting together solid performances across the board this weekend.”
Little Rock will send 27 student-athletes to compete in Fayetteville, while other members of the team will have a short break before preparing for their next home meet, scheduled for April 17–18. Last year, Little Rock participated in another Arkansas-hosted event with notable results from Devin Stevens in the 800 meters and Falon Short in the long jump.
Currently, Little Rock’s men’s team holds top rankings within the Ohio Valley Conference in several events including sprints and relays. The women’s team also leads conference standings in multiple disciplines such as hurdles, jumps, and relays.
The broader significance of this event lies in providing athletes with experience against high-level competition ahead of future meets this season.
