49.48!!!
What a fantastic weekend of track and field. Outside of the
NCAA Championships for all three divisions that took place, there was also a pair
of High School national championships this weekend as well. In this post I will
recap what turned out to be an incredible Division 1 Indoor Championships.
SPRINTS/HURDLES
Women
60/200 Meter Dash- Julien Alfred of Texas had perhaps the
greatest indoor season of college sprinting in NCAA history, or at least since
Dawn Sowell of LSU. Alfred has been a consistent 60-meter threat since her sophomore
year at Texas. She has been close to winning but not capable of claiming the
title. She garnered her first NCAA title in the 100 meters last outdoor season.
In the 60-meter final she blasted out of the blocks to a dominant win with a
time of 6.94. Her time is a new NCAA record and tied for the second fastest in
world history. Take that into consideration with just how fast she could be this outdoor season. Sha'Carri Richardson's NCAA record is notice.
She followed that up with a time of 22.01 in the 200-meter
dash. Her time here is also a NCAA record and one of the fastest in world
history. The time is also better than any 200 that Alfred has run outdoors. It
seems that having Alfred consistently compete on the 4x400 relay building up
that speed endurance has certainly paid off.
400 Meter Dash- Talitha Diggs of Florida entered the meet as
the favorite to win it all, especially since she clocked 50.15 at the SEC Indoor
Championships and broke the American record. Britton Wilson of Arkansas
apparently thought little of that. Wilson who has been apart of Arkansas super
star 400-meter core and a world class 400 hurdler has been very busy this
indoor season. Including a runner-up performance at SEC Indoors in the 800.
Wilson clearly used that training to make the case for a
strong 400-meter performance. Her winning time of 49.48 set the indoor American
record and she became the first woman to run under 50 seconds indoors in NCAA
history. Her time is not only the fastest indoors but outdoors as well. While
we have only focused on Femke Bol and Sydney McClaughlin-Levrone it is time we give
attention to Wilson as a threat in the 400 hurdles as well as the 400.
60 Meter Hurdles- Entering the meet Masai Russel of Kentucky
was certainly the favorite. She broke the NCAA record earlier in the season and
beat the top challenger to her at the SEC Championships in Ackera Nugent of
Arkansas. Nugent clearly put that loss in the past and refocused herself. In
the semi-final round Nugent clocked a NCAA record time of 7.72. She came back
in the final to outduel Russel 7.73 to 7.75. The fastest NCAA hurdle race in
history and I expect for them to compete as equally hard outdoors.
Men
60 Meter Dash- Favour Ashe of Auburn ran the fastest semi-final
time but was seen limping and grabbing his leg. It was smart of his coach, Leroy
Burrell to pull him out. Prior to the meet Terrence Jones of Texas Tech had
become a co-favorite to win the event. Jones first indoor race was the prelims
of the Big 12 championships where he ran a time of 6.46 almost breaking the
NCAA record. He came to the NCAA finals with confidence and a clear mission. He
was not first out of the blocks, but he was first out of his driving fast
lifting himself to victory the last 30 meters to a time of 6.46, equaling his
personal best.
200 Meter Dash- Entering the meet Courtney Lindsey of Texas
Tech was the favorite after having set the new NCAA lead at the Big 12 Championships
with a time of 20.13. Lindsey got a terrible lane draw, lane 3 in the semifinals
and did not make it to the finals. The 2021 NCAA Indoor Champion who had been left
out of the title discussion reminded everyone why they should not forget him.
Senior Matthew Boling of Georgia has had quite the career,
but no moment has been more impressive than the performance from this past
weekend. Boling was placed in lane 6 of the first section of the final and
blasted around the track to the time of 20.12. He is amongst the fastest in
NCAA history and it is his second NCAA title. He will head to the outdoor
season with a head of steam and newfound respect.
400 Meter Dash- Georgia had themselves a weekend. Not only
did they get a sprint victory from Matthew Boling but Elija Goodwin added to
their hardware account as well. The super senior got clipped at the line in the
semi-finals and missed the preferred lane draw in the finals being placed in lane
6. He did not let that deter him and he made for the break first in the final
and never let up. Goodwin held off Baylor senior Matthew Moorer to match his personal
best time with 44.75.
60 Meter Hurdles- This was perhaps the most wide-open race of
the meet. There was no true favorite and anyone who made the finals had a
chance to win. Case in point of out lane 7 Giano Roberts of Clemson claimed
victory with a time of 7.55. Roberts finished 6th in the semi-finals
but was clearly fully capable and did not let his lane draw distract him.
DISTANCE
Women
800 Meter- Roisin Willis and Juliette Whittaker of Stanford
is Stanford’s powerful 1-2 freshman punch. They came into the meet ranked 1 and
3 with Willis as the lead. Whittaker ran the top time in the semifinals in a
tough heat. Their coach JJ Clark is no stranger to the 800 and has produced
some phenomenal national champions and all-Americans. Willis and Whittaker seem
to be next in line and they did not disappoint finishing 1-2 in the finals and
Willis again going under 2 minutes to set a NCAA record with a time of 1:59.93.
Whittaker’s runner up time of was 2:00.05, just missing a sub 2-minute
performance.
Mile- The number one performer of the year in the distance
event Katelyn Touhy decided to compete in the 3k and 5k instead of running the
mile leaving the field open. Senior Lauren Gregory of Arkansas was being relied
upon for team points. In the final 100 meters of the race Gregory made her move
and surpassed race leader at the time Olivia Howell of Illinois. In the final
50 meters however, Howell made her move and superior kick, and time was the
winning factor. Howell claimed the title with a time of 4:34.
3,000 Meter/5,000 Meter (3k/5k)-Katelyn Touhy of NC State
begin her championship meet with a win on Friday night in the 5k. She was
chased in that race by two talented Alabama runners in Hilda Olemomoi and Mercy
Chelangat. Touhy outlasted them to win with a time of 16:09.65. She would end her 2023 indoor campaign with
another victory. The super sophomore who set the NCAA record in the 3k earlier
in the season made it look so easy. She ran a strong race and never looked to
truly be in jeopardy of losing. No personal best in the final just a winning
time of 9:10.07.
Touhy to me has just simply been the class of the field since
she arrived at NC State as a freshman. Kudos to her and the coaching staff for
producing such a talented athlete who is not afraid of the tough distance
double at a national championship.
Men
800 Meter- An event with some controversy, would it be a
major track and field championship without one, no not really. Navasky Anderson
of Mississippi State ran a gutsy race by leading the last three laps to initially
claim the NCAA title with a time of 1:45.90. Anderson was disqualified for flagrantly
impending Yuzuf Bizimana of Texas. In the final 100 meters Anderson began to
noticeably struggle within the final 50 meters who pushed out to the lane 3
impending Bizimana from passing him. Is this a good race strategy or impending.
I honestly believe it is impending, you should not resort to poor tactics to
win your race.
Mile- A Washington runner won. I guess no one was shocked by
that statement. However, let us not ignore that incredible performance by the
Huskies to have four men score in the NCAA final. Luke Houser was not even the
top ranked Husky heading into the final, but he found a way to victory outlasting
his teammates and the rest of the field with a time of 4:03.33. Pre meet
favorite Anass Essayi of South Carolina would finish third.
3,000 Meter (3k)- Dylan Jacobs of Tennessee had already won the
5k Friday night and was looking to complete the distance double similar to that
of Katelyn Touhy. However, in the 3k things did not go as planned. Fouad Messaoudi
of Oklahoma State begin his weekend with a Friday night win by anchoring a
strong DMR victory for the Cowboys. Messaoudi has been primarily a great miler
but stepping up to the 3,000 was likely for him to lead off a strong DMR to
victory on Friday and win the 3,000 on Saturday and the strategy worked.
The strategy worked in the 3,000 as he claimed victory their
as well. Messaoudi may simply have the best kick in the entire NCAA as it was
key to his NCAA title winning performance. Messaoudi’s winning time was 7:48.10.
Jacobs finished the race in 6th place. Messaoudi had great mile
performances throughout the indoor season, and I am curious to see what he does
this outdoor season. His kick will bode well for his future.
5,000 Meter (5k)- Dylan Jacobs did claim an individual title
for Tennessee winning the 5,000-meter run with a time of 13:37.59. Jacobs
transferred from Notre Dame during the offseason and picked up where he left
off performing at a high level and winning national titles. This was an
especially impressive win with such a strong field that included Drew Bosley
and Nico Young of Northern Arizona. Bosley and Young led for a majority of the
race and the last three laps’ Jacobs took over and never let up. I hope they
all run again outdoors at nationals as this was an exciting race to watch
unfold.
JUMPS
Women
Long Jump/Triple Jump- While Julien Alfred of Texas may have
had the greatest sprinting college season in history, Jasmine Moore or Florida
had the greatest jumping season in NCAA history. Entering the meet as a defending
champion in both events Moore had all eyes on her. Right from the beginning she
began the championships with a bang. On her first jump in the long jump, she
set an NCAA record with a leap of 23 feet 0 ¾ inches (7.03m). She only attempted
two more jumps and had an early end to her Friday night. She becomes the NCAA
athlete over 23 feet indoors and joins a rare group of 23-foot college jumpers
in general.
In the Triple Jump on Saturday, she was even more
impressive. She broke the collegiate record in the triple jump a total of 3 times.
She debuted with a new collegiate record in her first attempt, broke the record
again on her second attempt and broke the record one more time and set a American
record on her fifth attempt. Her mark of 49 feet 7 ¼ inches (15.12m) is the
best mark ever by an American woman indoors or out. I think it is totally conceivable that we will
see Moore jump 50 feet outdoors!
High Jump- It was par for the course here. Another
championship meet, another victory for Lamara Distin of Texas A&M. The senior
capped of her senior indoor season with a winning jump of 6 feet 3 ¼ inches (1.91
meters). Distin has now won 3 NCAA titles, and back-to-back indoors.
Pole Vault- It was another Arkansas National Championship
win Friday night in the pole vault. Amanda Fassold outdueled Olivia Lueking of
Oklahoma to claim the title with a mark of 14 feet 7 ¼ inches (4.45m) due to
fewer misses. No 15-foot jump yet but keep an eye out for Fassold during the
outdoor season.
Men
Long Jump- What a competition this was. Four athletes
surpassed 27 feet indoors on Friday night. The top jumper of them all was Carey
McLeod of Arkansas. McLeod leaped to a mark of 27 feet 6 ¾ inches (8.40m) on his
last jump. Cameron Crump of Mississippi State who won the SEC title took the
lead on his fourth attempt. It was not his day but second place with a mark of
27 feet 6 ½ inches (8.39m) is nothing to look down upon. I am sure the
fireworks will continue outdoors.
Triple Jump- Arkansas continued their impressive week with
superstar true freshman Jaydon Hibbert breaking the World Junior record and the
NCAA Indoor record. He only needed one attempt to leap to 57 feet 6 ½ inches
(17.54m). No one was in his realm for the rest of the meet. The second-best
mark was 55 feet. That is how far ahead Hibbert, a freshman was of the field. Hibbert
will be one to watch.
High Jump- Defending champion Vernon Turner of Oklahoma suffered
a setback to defending his title. Romaine Beckford of South Florida was the surprise
winner with a mark of 7 feet 4 ¼ inches (2.24m). Turner bowed out at 7 feet 3
inches (2.21m). Although below his personal best, Beckford was ready and consistently
met the challenge to win the title.
Pole Vault- The pole vault did not disappoint. Defending
champion Sondre Guttormsen of Princeton dueled with Zach Bradford now of Texas
Tech to the very end and it was certainly exciting. Guttormsen went on to defend
his title with a new NCAA record mark of 19 feet 8 ¼ inches (6.00m). Bradford
was second in 19 feet 4 ¾ inches (5.91m). Bradford gave a valiant effort but
there is a reason why Guttormsen is the defending champion. 6 meter is 6
meters!
THROWS
Women
Shot Put- Adelaide Aquilla was granted an additional year
through Covid and she certainly picked up where she left off, leading the Ohio
State throws core. Aquilla needed a personal best throw of 63 feet 3 ¼ inches
(19.28m). Aquilla continues to be a championship level performer shining when
it is most important. Aquilla took the lead with her final throw to surpass
Axelina Johansson of Nebraska.
Weight Throw- For the past few years, especially since
Connie Price-Smith took over as head of Ole Miss, the Rebels continue to
produce incredible weight throwers. Having won the event multiple time since
her arrival. This year the tradition continued with senior Jalani Davis with a winning
throw of 80 feet 5 inches (24.51m). Davis remained the only thrower all season
to surpass 80 feet this season.
Men
Shot Put- Jordan Geist of Arizona has been the man this
entire season. Even though defending champion Turner Washington of Arizona
State was in the field, Geist has been solid all year long with incredible
marks. His winning mark was 69 feet 4 ¾ inches (21.15m). Washington had a
season’s best of 67 feet 11 ¾ inches (20.72m) to finish 3rd. I think
outdoors between these two will produce even more great marks, especially at
the Pac-12 Championships.
Weight Throw- Isaiah Rogers has not competed since 2019. Originally,
he was an All-ACC performer for Virginia Tech and transferred to Kennesaw
State. Rogers stepped up on the biggest stage and solidified his number one ranking
and taking down defending champion Bobby Colantonio of Alabama. His winner
throw of 79 feet 6 inches was made on his 6th attempt.
MULTI’S
Pentathlon (Women)- Jadin O’Brien vaulted to the number one
ranking after winning the ACC title with a total of 4,377 points. With Anna
Hall moving on to the professional ranks she stepped up to fill the
championship void. O’Brien took an old-fashioned approach of simply performing
at a high consistent level. She did not win any events she was however in the
top 10 in all five events and was in the top five three times with two runners
up performances in the shot put and the 800. It will be interesting to see how her
performance translates to outdoors.
Heptathlon (Men)- Kyle Garland set an NCAA record early in
the season and has been the number one guy all season long. He did nothing to
disprove that fact, scoring a total of a whopping 6,639 points nearly breaking
a world record. Garland reset the NCAA record as well as meet record. The
superstar claimed three of the seven event titles winning the long jump, shot
put and high jump. He finished in the top five in the other four events. A well-played
strategy and performance.
RELAYS
Women
DMR- No surprise here with the athletes competing in more
than one event in some cases the times did not match what we had seen on DMR weekend.
However, with that being said there was a great battle for the crown with
Stanford outdueling Arkansas with a time of 10:56.34. The Cardinals dominated
for majority of the race but thanks to a strong 4:31 anchor from Arkansas
senior Lauren Gregory she made it a race.
4x400- Not as much chaos as we saw conference championship
weekend. Arkansas really flexed their 400-meter muscle here with a NCAA record
time of 3:21.75! Yes, you are reading that correctly. That time also surpasses
the NCAA outdoor record as well. Britton Wilson anchored a 49.2 split to add to
her legacy. I think outdoors we will be looking at the first collegiate team to
run sub 3:20 in NCAA history.
MEN
DMR- Oklahoma State broke the NCAA record with a 9:16
performance on DMR weekend stunning everyone. Like the women no NCAA record
time by a dominant comfortable win for the Cowboys with a time of 9:28.77. They
were the only sub 9:30 team of the meet and leg every leg of the race. A truly
remarkable performance and a testament to their program’s development.
4x400- I saw a comment on social media that I totally agreed
with, it seemed that the women were poised and ready for the 4x400 and had
plenty of energy while the men in general seemed tired. Going into the meet
there were three sub 3:02 teams, three. No one would meet that mark. Arkansas
claimed victory thanks to a 44.1 split from Christopher Bailey to lead to a
time of 3:02.09, winning by a full second. Hopefully outdoors athletes will
give themselves the opportunity to reset and rest to produce a stellar final
race.
TEAM TITLE
Women/Men
Arkansas was dominant the entire weekend. They qualified a
ton of athletes and those athletes that qualified showed up and showed out. If
the athlete was in the field, they were a strong shot to win it. Capping off
their seasons by collectively winning the 4x400 title shows just how well
coached and developed their program is. They are the Alabama of track and field
as they historically have always found a way to win.
