FAYETTEVILLE -- Jarrion Lawson shouldn't have to worry about staying loose between events today when the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships open in Eugene, Ore.
The Arkansas senior won't have any time to cool off or tighten up.
"I like to keep myself busy," Lawson said. "I don't like to wait for two hours between events, because you can get cramps.
"I think it's better for me to go out and do it all at once. So when I get on the track, I'll just be going.
"Going from one event to the other."
Lawson, a three-time NCAA champion and 15-time All-American, is scheduled to compete in four events within a two-hour span starting with the 400-meter relay semifinals at 6:40 p.m. CDT today at Oregon's Hayward Field. Then he has the 100 semifinals at 7:46 p.m., the long jump final at 8 p.m. and the 200 semifinals at 8:44 p.m.
"It is a very challenging schedule physically and emotionally, but I think Jarrion's prepared for it," Arkansas Coach Chris Bucknam said. "This is something he's thought about all year long, from the first day of practice back in September."
Lawson could score in five events for the No. 5 Razorbacks. He won't run in the 1,600 relay semifinals at 8:48 p.m. today, but if the Razorbacks advance, he could run in Friday's final. The 1,600 relay is the final men's event and could affect the team competition.
Lawson said hopefully after running the 400 relay, and 100 and 200 finals Friday, he'd love to run the 1,600 relay with a chance to help Arkansas win the national championship.
"That'd be a special moment," he said. "I've got my mind ready to be on the 4-by-4.
"If I need to step up and get it done, I'll be ready to go a 44 [second] or 45 split."
Lawson got a feel for handling an extra heavy workload at the NCAA outdoor meet last year when he finished third in the long jump (27-4½) and 100 (wind-aided 9.9 seconds) and helped Arkansas win the 400 relay (school-record 38.47) and take sixth in the 1,600 relay (3:05.71).
During the NCAA indoors this year, he helped Arkansas take second behind Oregon by winning the long jump and taking second in the 60. He also ran on the 1,600 relay, which didn't make the final.
At the SEC outdoor meet this year, Lawson scored 20 points for the champion Razorbacks by winning the long jump, taking fourth in the 100, sixth in the 200 and running on the second-place 400 relay.
"He's done an unbelievable job for our team," said Arkansas assistant Travis Geopfert, who coaches the field events. "The guy's just a competitor, and that's something you can't coach.
"It's been a lot of fun with him in championship season. When the lights are on, when it matters the most, that's when you see him step into that competitive mode and really start to shine."
Lawson, who won his first NCAA title in the long jump as a freshman indoors, didn't run the 100 competitively for the Razorbacks until last year. He added the 200 this year.
"He gladly took on the 200," said Doug Case, who coaches Arkansas' sprinters. "It wasn't anything we forced him to do. He wanted to do it.
"We all think he can be a great 200-meter runner, so now he's got his opportunity."
Lawson ran a personal-best 20.17 in the 200 at the NCAA West Regional.
"He ran a great time, but he didn't run a perfect technical race by any means," Case said. "He can do better."
Lawson understands he probably won't be able to take six attempts as he tries to win his first NCAA outdoor long jump title. He figures he'll be limited to three or four jumps because of the time conflict with the 200.
"I just have to execute," he said. "Get a good jump in first, then go for it on the next two or three to try to get the lead."
Along with being one of the nation's top track and field performers this year, Lawson had a 4.0 grade-point average as a graduate student working on his master's in business.
"It raises the bar for the whole team, demonstrating it can be done," Bucknam said of Lawson's accomplishments as a student and athlete. "I think that puts him in rarefied air.
"I've never heard him complain. I've never heard him say, 'Coach, I don't have time to practice because I have to study.'
"He's always had his school work done, so it never interfered. He's quietly and effectively and exceptionally done his job academically."
Lawson's challenge this week is reminiscent of what Mike Conley did for the Razorbacks in 1985 when they won their first NCAA outdoor title. Conley won the long and triple jumps, finished second in the 200 and ran on the sixth-place 400 relay.
"Mike was all in for the team," Bucknam said. "He loved to compete. I think Jarrion has that same mentality."
Lawson said trying to score in possibly five events isn't anything to fear.
"I think if you have the ability to do all these events, you should do them, regardless of how the schedule looks," he said. "You never know what you can do until you give it your best shot."
The Razorbacks are expecting a lot from Lawson in his final meet for them.
"I'm starting to realize this will be the last time I wear a Hog on my chest," Lawson said. "I'll definitely try to embrace the moments and enjoy the blessings."
Arkansas' coaches know they've been blessed to have Lawson.
"Our recruiting has been good, but losing a guy like Jarrion?" Case said. "We'll miss him forever."
Lawson at a glance
COLLEGE Arkansas
CLASS Senior
EVENTS AT NCAA OUTDOORS Long jump, 100 meters, 200, 400 relay, 1,600 relay
HIGH SCHOOL Liberty-Eylau, Texas
NOTEWORTHY Three-time NCAA champion (two long jump titles indoors in 2013 and 2016, 400 relay outdoors 2015). ... 15-time All-American. ... Took third in the long jump and 100 at the NCAA outdoor meet last year. ... Won long jump at SEC indoors and outdoors this year. … Outdoor career bests include 27 feet, 4½ inches in the long jump, school-record 10.04 seconds in the 100 and 20.17 in the 200. ... Indoor career bests are 27-6½ in the long jump and 6.60 in the 60.... Had a 4.0 grade-point average this year as a graduate student working toward his master’s in business. Graduated in three years with a kinesiology degree.... Chose Arkansas over Texas A&M and Alabama.
At a glance
NCAA OUTDOOR TRACK
AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
WHEN Today through Saturday
WHERE Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore.
ONLINE STREAMING WatchESPN
LIVE RESULTS www.flashresults.com
SCHEDULE Men: Today and Friday. Women: Thursday and Saturday.
DEFENDING MEN’S CHAMPION Oregon
DEFENDING WOMEN’S CHAMPION Oregon
MEN’S TEAM COACHES’ POLL TOP SIX 1. Texas A&M, 2. Florida, 3. Oregon, 4. LSU, 5. Arkansas, 6. Georgia
WOMEN’S TEAM COACHES POLL TOP SIX 1. Arkansas, 2. Kentucky, 3. Texas, 4. LSU, 5. Texas A&M, 6. Oregon
TELEVISION SCHEDULE
TODAY All times Central 6:30-10 p.m. ESPN2
THURSDAY 6:30-7:30 p.m. ESPNU, 7:30-10 p.m. ESPN
FRIDAY 7:30-10 p.m. ESPN
SATURDAY 5:30-8 p.m. ESPN
Sports on 06/08/2016