Hilitz races to top of pack at NCAA performance list in 1500-meter

AZUSA, Calif. — The second and final day of competition at the Bryan Clay Invitational for the No. 2 Arkansas women’s track and field team saw junior Nikki Hiltz race to the top of the D-I NCAA performance list in the 1,500-meter run off an 8-second PR.

Competing against collegians and professionals alike, Hiltz crossed the finish line in second place with a time of 4 minutes, 12.71 seconds to usurp the national (D-I) lead from Fresno State’s Annemarie Schwanz.

Her time is the fifth-best ever recorded by a Razorback, placing her among the ranks of former Arkansas middle distance greats Stephanie Brown, Kristen Gillespie, Dominique Scott-Efurd and Christin Wurth-Thomas.

Senior Therese Haiss (eighth) and freshman Carina Viljoen (19th) also posted personal bests in the event, running 4:16.55 and 4:19.62, respectively. Haiss improved her time by three seconds while Viljoen dropped five seconds off of her former PR.

Sophomores Devin Clark and Kailee Sawyer placed 27th and 63rd, respectively, to complete the evening of competition in Azusa.

The Razorbacks will compete at home in Fayetteville, Arkansas next weekend as they host the John McDonnell Invitational on April 21-22 at John McDonnell Field.

Kids 6-12 are invited to participate in ‘The Fastest Kid in Fayetteville’ fun run which will take place on Saturday, April 22 at 4 p.m. CT. in advance of the collegiate running events. Parents can register their child HERE.

Bryan Clay Invitational
April 14, 2017
Cougar Athletic Stadium (Azusa, California)

1,500 Meters
2. Nikki Hiltz – 4:12.71
8. Therese Haiss – 4:16.55
19. Carina Viljoen – 4:19.62
27. Devin Clark – 4:24.01
63. Kailee Sawyer – 4:29.81