Colleges

Arkansas edges Florida in 400 relay

By wire services
Published June 11, 2005

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A win over Florida in the 400-meter relay has Arkansas' men in position for a national team title entering today's final day.

Arkansas' relay included three finalists in today's 200: Tyson Gay, Omar Brown and Wallace Spearmon, the American indoor record holder in the 200.

Gay, who led 200 qualifiers at 19.93 seconds, the best in the world this year, in Thursday's semifinals, overpowered the field on the curve on the third leg, and Omar Brown held off Florida's Kerron Clement down the stretch for the Razorbacks. Arkansas finished in 38.49, ninth-fastest ever among college teams and 0.05 seconds faster than Florida.

For the women, sophomore Marshevet Hooker, who was second in the long jump Thursday, caught South Carolina's Shalonda Solomon down the stretch of the anchor leg to give Texas the victory in the 400 relay. Texas, on track for the women's title, won in 42.87 seconds, eighth-fastest in NCAA history and 0.13 seconds faster than South Carolina.

Also Florida's Rachel Longfors took second in the discus at 187 feet, 1 inch, 7-8 shorter than Alabama's Beth Mallory.

PENN ST.: Defensive tackle Ed Johnson was expelled for the summer and fall semesters for violating regulations about sexual misconduct. The school also said Johnson, who started three games as a junior last season and was expected to be a key contributor this season, violated its Code of Conduct about "confining another student against their will." No charges have been filed, and no details were released.

TENNESSEE: Receiver Bret Smith's suspension ended a day after pleading guilty to a charge stemming from an on-campus fight in April. Smith and quarterback Brent Schaeffer, who has since left the team, were charged with misdemeanor assault but pleaded to offensive touching.

[Last modified June 11, 2005, 00:26:12]