by Shawn Price
PHILADELPHIA – Arkansas hurdler Phillip Lemonious earned a loud ovation from the Jamaican fans at the 126th running of the Penn Relay Carnival on Saturday as he claimed the College Championship title in the 110m hurdles with a season best time of 13.48 seconds at Franklin Field.
The Saturday session started with Razorback alum Graham Hood being inducted into the Penn Relays Wall of Fame, which includes having a plaque bearing his name along the wall in the horseshoe end of the stadium.
“It’s a little surreal being here without Coach McDonnell,” noted Hood. “It’s a very special honor. For my time with Arkansas, this meet is only second to the NCAA Championships. This was the biggest meet we ever had. To be put up on that wall is a very special moment.
“Over the four years I competed here, the memories come flooding back for sure. Guys like Niall Bruton, Brian Baker, Calvin Davis, Eric Henry, and all the guys who basically put my name up on that wall. It’s not just to do with me, there’s always three other guys on every relay team we ran.”
Lemonious, who claimed a hurdle victory at the Mt. SAC Relays two weeks ago in California, added another big meet title to his resume in becoming the first Razorback to win the event at the Penn Relays.
His winning time of 13.48 (1.5 wind) currently ranks fifth among collegians, under all-conditions this season, while it’s the third fastest wind-legal time.
On the Penn Relays all-time list in the hurdles, Lemonious equals 10th, matching Duane Ross (Clemson 1994) and Willie Gault (Tennessee 1982).
“I’m excited and happy that I could see my home crowd again,” said Lemonious, who is from Kingston. “I love the energy they brought out, even though I represent a different school.
“I’m so pleased with this victory and having a season best time. I’m speechless, and I’m just happy that I came out with a victory.”
The field Lemonious defeated included Jaheem Hayles of Syracuse (13.57), Clemson’s Devon Brooks (13.62), Kentre Patterson of Ohio State (13.67), and Houston’s De’Vion Wilson (13.70).
Earlier in the meet, Lemonious anchored the Razorback 4 x 100 relay to a third-place finish in a time of 39.90. The first three legs included Roman Turner, Connor Washington, and Tre’Bien Gilbert.
Houston won the final in 39.45 over a 39.53 by Auburn. Finishing behind Arkansas were G. C. Foster of Jamaica in 39.91, Clemson at 40.15, and Rutgers with a 40.68.
The Razorbacks also competed in the 4 x 800 relay, where a time of 7:26.53 placed seventh among a field of 11 teams. Arkansas’ squad included Jadon Bartholomew (1:53.00), Leroy Russell III (1:49.79), Kieran Taylor (1:50.30), and Ricardo Banks II (1:53.44).
Washington also raced in the 100m final, placing seventh in 10.41 (1.7 wind). Indiana’s Rikkoi Brathwaite claimed the victory in 10.28 (10.271) over Ohio State’s Eric Harrison, who also clocked 10.28 (10.276).
John Baker finished third in the long jump with a 23-9.5 (7.25) effort, finishing behind a pair of jumpers from Rutgers. In the pole vault, Etamar Bhastekar tied for fourth place with clearance of 16-9.5 (5.12), matching the same height as James Rhoads of Penn.
A pair of Razorbacks placed in the high jump, as Christian Matamoros and Tomas Ferrari both cleared 6-8.25 (2.04) in finishing ninth and tied for 10th.
Arkansas alums in the meet included Omar McLeod placing second in the 110m hurdles with a time of 13.22 (0.0 wind) as Devon Allen captured the win in a world-leading 13.11. McLeod is currently tied for third on the 2022 world list.
Racing at 300m, Marqueze Washington placed fourth in 32.76. The close finish was won by Chidi Okezie of Nigeria in 32.68 over a 32.69 from Jamaica’s Rusheen McDonald and a 32.71 by Will London. Hunter Woodhall posted a 1:20.64 over 600m.