by Shawn Price

PHILADELPHIA – The second day of action for the Razorbacks in the 126th running of the Penn Relays had Arkansas advancing to the final of the Championship of America 4 x 100 relay along with individuals Connor Washington and Phillip Lemonious on Friday.

The Razorback crew of Roman Turner, Washington, Tre’Bien Gilbert and Lemonious put together a time of 39.76 as runner-up in their heat that ranked fourth best overall. The top nine times advanced to the final that will be held at 1:05 p.m. (ET) on Saturday.

Houston produced the top qualifying time of 39.33 and were followed by Auburn (39.55), Jamaica’s G.C. Foster (39.71). Posting qualifying times behind Arkansas were Clemson (39.83), Rutgers (39.99), Indiana Tech (40.00), Indiana (40.17), and Norfolk State (40.44).

In the 110m hurdles, Lemonious won his prelim heat in 13.72w (3.1 wind), which was the second fastest time among the field. He will race in the Saturday’s final at 2:15 p.m.

Gilbert placed third in his prelim heat of the hurdles in 14.05 (0.8 wind) and ranked 11th overall. Matthew Lewis-Banks posted a 14.17 (0.8) for third in his heat and 15th overall.

Washington clocked a time of 10.46 (1.0 wind) as runner-up in his prelim heat of the 100m, qualifying for Saturday’s final, which will be run at 2:26 p.m. Turner ran 10.66 (0.1 wind), placing sixth in his heat.

A final for the Razorbacks on Friday included the distance medley relay, where a time of 9:33.66 placed Arkansas eighth among a field of 13. The Hog line-up included Elias Schreml (1,200m), Brandon Battle (400m), Kieran Taylor (800m), and Amon Kemboi (1,600m).

Kemboi was among the leaders as the race reached the bell lap. The top three teams included Ole Miss (9:29.45), Wisconsin (9:29.79), and Connecticut (9:30.31).

In the prelims of the 4 x 400 relay, the Razorbacks raced with primarily a middle distance crew that ran 3:16.95 and finished sixth in their heat. The Arkansas line-up included Patrick Anderson, Ethan Carney, Leroy Russell III, and Ricardo Banks II.

Saturday’s schedule for the Razorbacks, from noon to 3 p.m. includes the long jump for Johnathan Baker, pole vault for Etamar Bhastekar and Rhett Nelson, the 4 x 100 relay, 100m for Washington, 110m hurdles for Lemonious, high jump for Tomas Ferrari and Christian Matamoros, and the 4 x 800 relay.