AUBURN, Ala. — Arkansas didn’t win the 10, 000 meters Friday night at the SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, but John McDonnell’s Irish eyes were still smiling afterward.

The Razorbacks piled up 19 points with a 2-3-4 finish by junior Shawn Forrest and seniors James Strang and Peter Kosgei, which exceeded the expectations of McDonnell, their coach who was born in County Mayo, Ireland.

“I had us penciled in for 14 points, maybe 16, so I’m real happy,” McDonnell said. “Our guys ran hard.” A Razorback led the entire race until the final 200 meters, when Alabama junior Tyson David blew by Forrest to win in a meet record 28: 23: 01, breaking the mark of 28: 43. 27 by Arkansas ’ Alistair Cragg in 2003.

Forrest (28: 24. 44 ) and Strang (28: 31. 33 ) also bettered Cragg’s previous record and Kosgei ran 29: 44. 45.

“It was a tough race and a fast one,” Forrest said. “It was a fantastic effort for our guys.” Forrest ran a 63-second first lap to lead an Arkansas pack to the lead.

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“I thought with the pace we had going, it would have broken (David ),” Forrest said. “Hat’s off to him for hanging in there and coming home real well.” Forrest made a strong move with two laps left and believed he had won the race.

“I thought I had it, I really did,” Forrest said. “But with 200 to go, here (David ) comes. He’s got a kick on him. He was just too strong.” It was only the third time in 17 years since Arkansas joined the SEC that a Razorback didn’t win the 10, 000, but McDonnell wasn’t complaining.

“That really capped the first day off for us,” McDonnell said. “I hope it sets a trend for the rest of the weekend.” Auburn leads through three events completed with 21 points. Arkansas’ 19 points are second, followed by Tennessee (18 ) and Alabama (15 ).

“This one was for Coach,” Strang said of the strong showing in the 10, 000 in the last SEC meet for McDonnell, who is retiring when the season ends. “We wanted to run well for him at conference one last time.” Earlier Friday night, Arkansas junior J-Mee Samuels automatically advanced to the 200 final by winning his heat in 21. 24 seconds.

It was the fifth-fastest time among the qualifiers, but Samuels’ third heat ran against a head wind of 2. 3 meters per second.

LSU senior Richard Thompson, who had the fastest time at 20. 75, ran in a heat with a wind reading of zero.

Samuels, who coming into the meet ranked second in the SEC in the 200 (20. 55 ) and 100 (10. 12 ), said he’s confident for Sunday’s 200 final, as well as his races in the 100 and on the 400 relay.

“I’ve trained hard to get ready for this meet,” Samuels said. “I’m ready to see what I can do.” Samuels has had an up-anddown career with the Razorbacks, but White said he’s “less and nervous and worried” about this weekend’s meet.

“Usually it’s like we’ll flip a coin,” White said of trying to gauge how Samuels will run. “I’m not going to say I’ll get disappointed if he doesn’t win, but the chances of him messing up or not having a bad race are very, very slim.

“ He’s confident, he’s trained better than ever, he’s healthy, and it’s going to show.” Arkansas junior Cedric Zellner ran 22. 19 in the 200 and failed to advance.

Junior Alex McClary made the 800 final on time, running 1: 49. 99 to take third in his heat with the seventh-fastest mark overall.

“In the prelims, you want to win, but making the final is the big thing,” said McClary. “I think the final is anyone’s game. Six or seven guys have run 1: 47 or so. On a given day, any one of us can take it.” Arkansas freshman Chris Bilbrew from nearby Phenix City, Ala., was the last 800 runner not to make the final, running 1: 50. 31.

Arkansas is looking to win its 14 th SEC Outdoor title and bounce back from last year’s third-place finish behind Tennessee and LSU.

The Razorbacks already have won the SEC cross country and indoor titles this school year and can win their 21 st conference Triple Crown under McDonnell since 1982, when Arkansas was in the Southwest Conference. Team standings (After three events ) 1. Auburn................................................ 21 2. Arkansas................................ 19 3. Tennessee........................................... 18 4. Alabama.............................................. 15 5. Florida................................................. 12 5. Georgia................................................ 12 7. LSU....................................................... 8 8. Mississippi State.................................. 6 9. Kentucky............................................... 5 10. South Carolina.................................... 1 INDIVIDUAL DECATHLON 1. Jangy Addy, Tennessee, 8, 010 points; 2. Steffan Hommel, Florida, 7, 540; 3. Michael Ayers, Tennessee, 7, 360; 4. Tommy Barrineau, Georgia, 7, 142; 5. Kurt Lee, Florida, 6, 869; 6. Joseph Queen, Mississippi State, 6, 775; 7. Daryl Brady, Mississippi State, 6, 651; 8. Martin Lee, Mississippi State, 6, 641. HAMMER THROW 1. Cory Martin, Auburn, 238-11; 2. Jake Dunkleberger, Auburn, 230-06; 3. Rabun Fox, LSU, 213-01; 4. Andy Fryman, Kentucky, 212-06; 5. John Freeman, Georgia, 209-11; 6. Nate Rolfe, Georgia, 207-04; 7. Richard Wooten, Tennessee, 205-08; 8. Mike Zajac, South Carolina, 198-07. 10, 000 1. Tyson David, Alabama, 28: 23. 10; 2. Shawn Forrest, Arkansas, 28: 24. 44; 3. James Strang, Arkansas, 28: 31. 33; 4. Peter Kosgei, Arkansas, 29: 25. 14; 5. Augustus Maiyo, Alabama, 29: 44. 25; 6. Jean-Pierre Weerts, Auburn, 29: 55. 84; 7. Joseph Simuchimba, LSU, 30: 02. 74; 8. Andrew Kirwa, Alabama, 30: 05. 65.