State sports briefs

Razorbacks’ McLeod turning pro

Omar McLeod, a three-time NCAA champion hurdler for Arkansas, is turning pro and forfeiting his final two years of college eligibility.

McLeod, who won the 110-meter hurdles in a world-leading 12.97 seconds Saturday night at the Jamaican Championships in Kingston to qualify for the World Championships, told the Jamaica Observer newspaper he is signing with OnTrack Management and have an endorsement deal with Nike.

McLeod, who wore his Razorback uniform at the Jamaican Championships, said he was approached about turning pro two years after he graduated from high school, but didn’t believe he was ready at the time.

“I think I have made the transition from high school, and I am ready to run on the professional level now,” McLeod told the Observer. “I am physically and mentally ready, I am stronger, and my technique is where I want it to be.”

McLeod won the 2014 NCAA Indoor 60-meter title for Arkansas as a freshman, then this year won the 60-meter hurdles again and won the 110-meter hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

McLeod told the Observer his two years at Arkansas were “phenomenal, life-changing,” but that he is looking forward to beginning his pro career. He will run at some meets in Europe later this summer before competing at the World Championships in Beijing, China, in August.

McLeod’s 12.97 clocking was an NCAA all-dates all-time record, breaking the mark of 13.00 by Renaldo Nehemiah’s in 1979.

TRACK AND FIELD

Gatlin wins 200-meter title

Justin Gatlin breezed to the 200-meter title in the U.S. championship in a meet-record 19.57 seconds Sunday in Eugene, Ore.

Gatlin pointed at the clock after finishing, just to make sure everyone saw his speedy time. He dominated the race, taking the lead before the turn. Training partner Isiah Young was second and former Arkansas Razorback Wallace Spearmon finished third in 20.10.

Michael Johnson has the American record of 19.32 and Usain Bolt the world mark of 19.19.

The 33-year-old Gatlin entered the competition with fresh legs after skipping the 100 because he had an automatic bye into the world championships courtesy of his Diamond League title. That sets up a showdown in both events with Bolt in Beijing this summer.

Arkansas senior Sandi Morris took second in the pole vault clearing 15-3 behind American record-holder Jenn Suhr, who went 15-9 3/4. Morris also was second to Suhr last year. Arkansas senior Stanley Kebenei was fifth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, running 8:26.79.

BASEBALL

UALR adds outfielder

Lane Smith, an outfielder who played last season at Murray State College in Tishomingo, Okla., is UALR’s latest addition to its recruiting class, the school announced Sunday. Smith, from Chickasha, Okla., hit .401, with 52 RBI, 17 doubles and a .604 slugging percentage, all team highs. He earned first-team All-Conference and all-region honors last season, too.

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