Nate Allen

FAYETTEVILLE– Arkansas senior Lauren Gregory netted  a second SEC Women’s  Runner of the Week award  for her performance in last week’s  Bill Dellinger Invitational hosted by the University of Oregon.

 In finishing the 6,000m course in 20:06.9, Gregory was the top collegian and second overall among a field of 179 runners. Through splits in the race, Gregory's progression moved her from 10th (4:40.8), to 5th (8:20.0), to 3rd (12:33.1), and 2nd (16:02.3).

 Gregory moved into the lead between the fourth split and the finish line as she passed unattached runner Izzy Thornton-Bott. In the final 100m, Thornton-Bott regained the lead to finish ahead of Gregory with a time of 20:04.6.

 In the first meet of the season, Gregory won the Mizzou XC Opener with a time of 16:54.4 over a 5,000m course to better a field of 47 runners.

Gregory and Coach Lance Harter’s Razorbacks next run at their lone home meet, the 5 p.m. Friday Chile Pepper  Festival  at the UA’s Agri Park.

Harter said 77 women’s teams will run in two divisions of 39 and 39- team races Friday.

The Razorbacks will run in the second race in a field that includes Texas Tech, Nebraska LSU, Tulsa, Oral Roberts, Long Beach State, Missouri State, Arkansas State, Texas-Arlington  and many smaller area schools are entered.

Krissy Gear, who did not run at Oregon because of some back pain, will compete Friday as will Gracie Hyde, the Benton High grad and transfer via the University of Central Arkansas.

“We didn’t run Gracie last week to let her strut her stuff at her home state,” Harter said. 

Harter said unlike last year’s covid restrictions, fans will be allowed to attend Friday’s collegiate divisions of Chile Pepper.The men’s races, including Coach Chris Bucknam’s Razorbacks, commence at 5:30 p.m. Friday and also allows spectators.Saturday's Chile Pepper high school division remains under covid restrictions and is not allowing spectators, Harter said.