Arkansas, Florida Win Track Titles

Unheralded Erick Walder completed a rare triple jump-long jump double Saturday night, leading Arkansas to its ninth consecutive men’s title in the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships at Indianapolis.

Florida, led by Leah Kirklin’s second consecutive victory in the triple jump, won its first women’s title with 50 points, ending the domination by Louisiana State and Texas.

Walder was the eighth-best collegiate long jumper and seventh-best triple jumper coming into the two-day meet at the Hoosier Dome.

But he became the first jumper to win both events since former Arkansas star Michael Conley did it in 1984 and 1985. Walder won the long jump at 26 feet 3 1/2 inches and the triple jump at 55-4 3/4, the best of his career and the longest by a collegian this season.

The Razorbacks scored 53 points, their most since 1985.