Former Razorbacks McLeod, Hiltz Looking For Reset On Familiar Track; Prep Star Sophia Gorriaran Aiming For Olympic Trials Qualifier

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

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Omar McLeod hasn't competed in a hurdles race since the 2019 World Outdoor Championships in Doha. Nikki Hiltz hasn't raced since the 2020 Millrose Games, one year ago. 

The Arkansas alums will return to their former track, the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Ark., on Sunday for the American Track League's third meet, which will be carried live on ESPN before the kick-off of Super Bowl LV. 

 "Especially when you come in from a busy city or overseas when you walk out the airport there's nothing like that fresh, organic, natural scent that Arkansas gives," McLeod said. "It was emotional (coming back)."

McLeod, a native of Jamaica and the 2016 Olympic champion in the 110-meter hurdles, was a four-time NCAA champion during his time with the Razorbacks. He competed in the first American Track League meet Jan. 24 in the 60 dash. 

In 2020, McLeod dealt with a stress fracture in his right foot, an injury that flared up last April. He competed in a rare 100-yard race on July 9 at the Inspiration Games at IMG Academy in Florida, primarily to fufill a contract obligation despite not being 100 percent healed. Without a summer racing schedule, McLeod was able to rest the foot and was able to recover fully by September. 

But the long periods of time with no meet to prepare for took a toll. 

"Sometimes if feels like your hard work doesn't make sense at all. I know a lot of athletes can relate," McLeod said. "Not being able to race, not being in our element, a lot of athletes didn't know what to do. It's been very challenging. I have to credit the American Track League for giving us an opportunity to feel some sort of normalcy."

Hiltz said it's been so long between races she's forgotten important details, like how long she should spend warming up beforehand.

"I feel like there's little things I'm forgetting," she said. "At the same, time, things are coming back in a good way. The nerves are coming back, but it's more excitement than anything. I've had to be very patient this year."

Hiltz, a two-time NCAA Outdoor runner-up in the 1,500 meters (2017 and 2018), spent most of 2020 isolated with her training partners in San Diego. She made a coaching change and is now trained by former Oregon miler Mac Fleet. 

She hasn't been back to Arkansas since she left in 2018. 

"Everything (I see) here has a memory attached to it," Hiltz said. "I have a lot of memories here and they are all good ones. I learned the value of teammates. At Arkansas we were always trying to win SEC titles and national titles."

Hiltz took a step forward in her first couple of years as a pro. 

She's running the 800 meters Sunday. 

"I usually open my season with an 800 or a K, even though I'm a miler, just to get that speed work back," she said. "I'm excited. It's a really good field. There are a lot of (400/800) girls, so I feel like I'm kind of out of my element as an 8/15 runner. I'm sure they'll go out the back and I'll probably be out the back, but I'll try to catch them as the laps go on. It'll be an exciting race."

Pole vaulter Megan Clark, who lives in Fayetteville with boyfriend Ryan Crouser, will compete for the third straight weekend at the American Track League. She has a season best of 14-9 (4.50m) and is looking to make a bigger bar this time. 

"The goal is to take shots at (4.70m) and hopefully make it," she said. 

The start lists for the meet includes four high school athletes. 

Grace Cunningham of Las Vegas, the younger sister of Vashti Cunningham, is entered in the high jump. Sophia Gorriaran from Rhode Island is entered in the women's 800 meters. Shawnti Jackson from North Carolina, the daughter of legendary hurdler Bershawn Jackson, is entered in the 60-meter dash. And Hobbs Kessler from Michigan is entered in the men's mile.

Gorriaran, who boasts an outdoor personal-best of 2:02.90 and has run 2:03.96 during the indoor season, is aiming for the Olympic Trials qualifying standard of 2:02.50.

"I’m pretty confident for this weekend. And I think just making sure I run a smart race will also be something I need to do," Gorriaran said. "I’m really thankful to have all of these opportunities and to have all of these girls and women to race against, I think it's a very fun experience and it’s an amazing opportunity."

Gorriaran set a national sophomore record Jan. 30 at the 757 Showdown in Virginia Beach and ascended to the No. 2 all-time indoor prep performer by clocking 1:27.02 in a 600-meter battle with junior Roisin Willis of Stevens Point, Wis., who improved to No. 4 with a 1:27.20 effort.

"It was a very fun race. (Roisin) she likes to take it out fast, so I think we really push each other to run our best, having her there to run against was really helpful," Gorriaran said. "I think it just gives me confidence for my next 800-meter race, knowing that I can go out at a faster pace and run a better time than i did a few weeks ago."

The sophomore class indoor 800 record of 2:01.8 by Mary Decker has stood since 1974. British athlete Adelle Tracey boasts the fastest time in the field Sunday at 2:00.23.

"I did race against the pros in the summer, so I got used to that, and then this past weekend also, I felt pretty comfortable, I wasn’t stressed or nervous. I think just having that experience over the summer getting to race (the pros) was helpful," Gorriaran said. "I’m just going to see how the race goes and run a good time and see what I have."

— Mary Albl contributed to this story