2021 NCAA Outdoor Conference Championship Recap

3:34.68!

                                                 (Yared Nuguse-Notre Dame)

Conference Championship weekend was a rousing success. If you were a track and field fan you literally spent the entire weekend watching Track and Field meets. Each championship meeting had its moments of “Oooh” and “Aaah”. A weekend much needed for the sport not only for visibility but to give those dedicated track and field fans well deserved entertainment. The collegiate athletes in Division 1 certainly lived up to their top billing as this weekend produced 21 new number one performances and highlighted deficiencies in many top teams. In this recap we will look at the new number one performances and highlight big performances from the weekend.

SPRINTS/HURDLES

(Terrance Laird LSU)

Terrance Laird of LSU was certainly one of the many amazing highlights coming out of the SEC Championships on the men’s side. After he debuted his outdoor season at the Texas Relays with his still number one mark of 19.81 in the 200, all eyes have been on him against Matthew Boling of Georgia. He lived up to the hype with two dominant performances winning the 100 with a national leading wind-aided mark of 9.80 and a 200 time of 19.82. He is now the prohibitive favorite in both 100- and 200-meter dashes. I think it is fair to say he is perhaps the most complete short sprinter in men’s LSU history.

In the 110 hurdles senior Robert Dunning of Alabama has been waiting in the winds to prove that he is a serious threat in the 110 hurdles. Damion Thomas of LSU has held the top time in the country since later March at the Texas Relays. Dunning took the top time with his winning time of 13.15 running a strong race against a solid field. His time was slight wind-aided but does meet the allowable qualifying mark for the national performance list.

Texas A&M has quite the success in the men’s 400 hurdles over the year. They have had many All-Americans and SEC Champions. Moitalel Mpoke is the latest star but he also might be the best one. The talented junior clocked in a winning time of 48.89 to beat previous number one Sean Burrell of LSU. He not only broke the school record but became the national leader. Mpoke is Texas A&M’s best chance at a national champion in this event.

(Tamara Clark-Alabama)

On the women’s side Tamara Clark of Alabama had one of the all-time great performances this past weekend. She ran two dominant races in the 100 and 200 and her coach Olympic Medalist Carmelita Jeter was certainly proud. Clark clocked in winning times of 10.87 and 21.89. Both times were wind-aided, and her 100 time does meet the allowable amount and 200 did not. However, it does prove what Clark is capable of. Clark has spent her most recent history as second quite often, but it looks like this outdoor season she is focused on Gold!

In the 400 Athing Mu of Texas A&M again found a way to wow the crowd. Every time she steps on the track, she is breaking a record or joining an all-time list. She already has broken the NCAA record in the 800 and decided to try and take the 400 at the SEC Championships. She came very close winning the race by more than a second with a time of 49.84, Mu is now third all time in the 400. Currently Mu is ranked number one in both 400 and 800. It remains to be seen what she chooses to compete at nationals but either way I am sure she will continue to impress. What an amazing season she is having.

In the 100 hurdles senior Tonea Marshall finally got her outdoor SEC title. She ran a personal best and school record time of 12.52 to win the SEC title. Marshall has been solid all season long and continues to be a leader for a strong LSU team. She has been the most consistent 100 hurdler all season long. I expect for her winning streak to continue throughout the season.

In the 400 hurdles defending national champion Anna Cockrell crossed over into elite territory. The senior dipped under 55 seconds for not only a personal record but a school record. She claimed the 400 hurdle Pac-12 title with a time of 54.77. Her mark improves upon her number one ranking and she is currently the only athlete under 55 seconds.

DISTANCE

In the men’s 800 Isaiah Jewett has been having a remarkable senior season. He improved upon his number one ranking winning the Pac-12 title in a time of 1:45.16. What is more impressive about his win, he defeated Charlie Hunter, Cole Hocker and Luis Peralta in the same race. Hunter was the pre-meet favorite having won the NCAA Indoor title. Jewett seemed to not be phased by that all and ran a smart race to win.

Yared Nuguse of Notre Dame continued our theme of breaking NCAA records. The defending champion ran an impressive 3:34.68 in the 1,500. That time was done in the ACC Championship Preliminaries. He came back in the finals to win with a time of 3:40.86. Nuguse already has proven what he is about beating Cooper Teare of Oregon at Oregon a few weeks ago. Nuguse with all likelihood will break the NCAA record again this season.

BYU did not compete at a conference championship this weekend but still made noise in a few distance events. In the men’s 10,000 Conner Mantz competed at the American Track League and clocked in at 27:41.16. The race was against professional athletes and he held his own finishing fourth overall. His time however is number one in the NCAA.

A new week and a new number one in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. No distance event has had more changes to it’s leaderboard than this one. This time it came from the new ACC Champion Fitsum Seysum of Virginia Tech. No denying the quality at Virginia Tech their distance core is one the best in the country. Seysum is certifiable proof of that. Seysum clocked in at 8:31.23 to win the ACC title. It is perhaps even more impressive to note that his win and time came up against extremely high-quality competition as both number two and number three in his race finished with times that are now nationally ranked in the top 10.

On the women’s side Whittni Orton of BYU also competed at the American Track League and the quality of the competition brought out the best in her as well. She ran a time of 15:12.91 in the 5,000-meter run to finish 10^th overall but with the top time in the country. BYU now owns the top two times in the event nationally.

Mercy Chelangat of Alabama completed a family sweep. She claimed the 10,000-meter SEC title with a time of 32:13.13. Her brother Vincent Kiprop also won the 10,000-meter title. Chelangat had quite the weekend by also winning the 5,000-meter run as well.

FIELD EVENTS

Tyra Gittens is Superwoman, I am convinced. What an incredibly talented athlete. She had quite the performance in the heptathlon. She scored a total of 6,418 points. A new NCAA leading performance. It was her individual performances during the competition that stand out, a high jump mark of 6 feet 4 ¾ inches (1.95m) and a long jump mark of 22 feet 10 inches (6.96m). Her high jump mark is currently ranked number one in the country and her long jump mark is currently ranked number two.  Both marks are high quality marks in their own right and she performed during the same competition. Gittens has just been the class of the field and with this being an Olympic year I think we should just get comfortable with her name.

Arkansas women return as the center of the Pole-Vaulting world. Nastassja Campbell is the latest talented vaulter out of Arkansas to claim the SEC title. Campbell defeated a top tier field with a mark of 14 feet 10 ¾ inches (4.54m). Campbell helps to solidify Arkansas championship team depth. She is also apart of the reason why they were able to win the SEC Team title.

Adelaide Aquilla is rounding into championship form quite nicely. The NCAA Indoor Champion out of Ohio State reclaimed the number one ranking with her winning throw of 62 feet 8 ¼ inches (19.12m) to claim the Big Ten title. 

Jorinde Van Klinken of Arizona State is the latest throwing star from Arizona State. Washington Turner is not the only Sun Devil having a strong year. Van Klinken won the Pac 12 title in the Discus with a mark of 205 feet 4 inches (62.58m). She is currently one of two athletes that thrown of 200 feet this season.

JuVaughn Harrison of LSU had quite the weekend. Harrison claimed the SEC High Jump title with a number one mark of 7 feet 8 ¾ inches (2.36m). We expected for him to follow that up with a win in the long jump. He was defeated by Carey McLeod of Tennessee who leaped 27 feet 4 ¼ inches (8.34m). His mark is number three nationally. Harrison still holds the top two marks in both events but clearly it will not be easy to complete the same jumping feet winning both titles.

Mississippi State has found another Javelin thrower. The Bulldogs seem to produce to a champion every few years. DJ Jonsson by way of Iceland continued their winning tradition with his SEC title throw of 258 feet 1 inch (78.66m). The Bulldogs now have the number one and number two marks in the country in this event.

RELAYS

LSU Women’s 4x100 Relay improved upon their number one ranking with their time of 42.52. Texas A&M Women’s 4x400 Relay also improved upon their number one ranking with their SEC Winning time of 3:26.17.

 

THOUGHTS

There were so many great performances this weekend. Over 21 new number one performances, and all-time legendary marks. The team title picture is becoming clearer and we will have a better understanding after Regionals but applause to Arkansas of the SEC. They show up every championship meet and perform at a high level and this year was no exception. USC women was dominant out west in the Pac-12 and Oregon men won their 14^th straight. 14 straight titles remind us of the John McDonnell Arkansas dominance. Also, on the men’s side you cannot ignore Florida State. They have put together their best team in recent memory and have the pieces to contend or a team title.

2021 NCAA Outdoor Recap Week 7

 LAST ONE, BEST ONE !

(North Carolina A&T)

The post season has officially started, not only does that indicate conference championships but the last chance meets as well. The last chance meets are for athletes to meet the qualifying standards to compete in their respected regional competition. Although it was the start of the postseason this week was relatively quiet regarding number one performances, there was only one. So, in this post we will recap the major stories from Conference Championships that have already completed and a new division two national record.

THE LONE NUMBER ONE

The lone number one performance from this weekend came from the men’s side in the 1,500. Yared Nuguse of Notre Dame is the defending champion from 2019. Against a strong field at the Oregon Twilight Nuguse was able to defeat fellow senior Cooper Teare of Oregon on his home track 3:35.96 to 3:35.97. Teare and Nuguse are sure to gives us more later this post season but at least for now we know that Nuguse’s title defense will be a great race.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T GOES OUT WITH A BANG

This is North Carolina A&T’s last season in the MEAC and I am pretty sure that majority of the conference is happy to see them go. North Carolina A&T put on a sprinting clinic. Talented freshman Javonte Harding put on quite an impressive display of sprinting running a time of 10.21 in the 100 and 20.21 in the 200. Harding anchored their 400 relay and ran a leg on their winning 1600 relay. Four golds as a freshman is an impressive feat. His teammate Randolph Ross garnered his first outdoor conference title as well winning the 400 in a time of 44.60. A new personal record and the fourth ranked time in the country.

On the women’s side Cambrea Sturgis lead the sprinting hall that was on display. Sturgis ran a wind-aided 11.03 in the 100-meter dash and a wind legal time of 22.88 in the 200. Although wind-aided Sturgis is currently ranked third in the country and big championship expectations later this season. Sturgis also anchored their winning 400 relay with a time 43.75. There were several sweeps by the Aggies, 100, 200, 800, 100 hurdles and high jump. They had an incredible championship display. The SWAC is their new conference and will certainly be more of a challenge.

NATIONAL RECORD

Our theme for the past few years has been the fall of national records, most notably in Division 1 where some of the records have stood for a decade or longer. In Division two Benjamin Azamati of West Texas A&M by way of Ghana. Azamati has already broken the record in the 100 with his all division national leading time of 9.97. This past weekend he broke the 200 record with a time of 20.13. Azamati has now met the Olympic Standard for both the 100/200-meter races. Azamati also proves that he is no fluke and could certainly hang with the best in Division 1.

THE MAC

It was surprising to me as a Eastern Michigan alumnus to see the MAC have their conference championship a week before conference championship weekend. Conference championship weekend are normally about the Power 5 conferences, but the MAC always been able to make noise amongst the big conferences. This past weekend the MAC still made noise albeit on a smaller scale.

Miami of Ohio really made a statement this weekend. Olivia Bechtel is the other big star at Miami and she ran two dominant races, the 200 and 400. Bechtel claimed the 400 in a time of 51.65. Her time is in the 400 is a new MAC record. She claimed the 200-meter title with a time of 23.41.

On the men’s side her teammate Finley McLear lived up to the hype that he has developed all season. McLear led a 1-2-3 sweep in the 800 with his winning time of 1:49.04. Miami also swept the 1,500 to make a strong statement about their talent and depth in the middle-distance races.

Amir Williams of Akron made noise in the men’s sprints. He ran a 10.24 in the semi-finals of the 100 and 10.35 in the finals. It was 200 time that was special, his winning time of 20.45. He is a sophomore and currently ranked 17^th in the country. It remains to be seen with all the changes coming to Akron if he follows Noah Williams to a new school for 2021-2022 season. My hope is that he stays and continues to dominate the MAC Conference.

Conference Championship Weekend

As the big weekend comes this week there were major storylines all over the place. The team battle will certainly shake up as there will be athletes who have not competed all indoor season that will be competing this weekend to try and hit their regional qualifying mark. My expectations for the men is that Florida, LSU and Florida State will all make major noise at their respective conference championships. On the women’s side, USC, Arkansas and Texas should make some major noise and shake up the rankings.

2021 NCAA Outdoor Recap Week 6

 42.63!

(USC 4x100 Relay) 

May is officially here. The arrival of the beginning of May has become synonymous with being the last week of the regular season. We are now entering the post season. We were still treated to some impressive marks, 10 new number one performances in total. As we prepare for the postseason this post will not only include our weekly recap but also where we stand currently with the team battle.

 

SPRINTS/HURDLES        

Very light action in the sprints in hurdles in terms of new number one performances, there were still some great times. All new number one performances came on the women’s side.

Kaelin Roberts of USC is having perhaps her best outdoor season as a Trojan. The often-injured junior has two NCAA Indoor titles under her belt but no outdoor championship hardware. This past weekend in the annual USC-UCLA Battle for LA dual Roberts went wire to wire UCLA’s Shae Anderson coming out on top with a winning time of 51.14.

At the same meet hurdler Anna Cockrell of USC continued her strong senior season and improved upon her number one ranking with a time of 55.59 in the 400 hurdles. Cockrell is the defending champion in the event having last won in 2019 and is currently the only sub 56 athlete in the field. Cockrell is clearly the easy favorite and has done nothing to suggest otherwise.

LSU has dominated the 4x100 relay conversation the entire season. They held the number one ranking for majority of the regular season. USC took over the lead at the dual meet this past weekend with their mark of 42.63. Their time is the fastest in dual meet history and even broke the stadium record that was recently set by a professional quartet that included Allyson Felix. USC made a huge statement with that time and it is clear the race will not be a runaway by LSU.

DISTANCE

On the men’s side there was one last number one performance at the USC-UCLA dual meet. It happened in the men’s 800 and it was Isaiah Jewett. Jewett ran a dominant race winning in a time of 1:45.80. He won the race by more than 2 seconds and he currently is the only athlete in the country to have run under 1:46.

Northern Arizona continues to develop and produce high quality talent. Although they are not a power five school, they regularly perform like on in the distance events. In the 10,000 it was their true freshman Abdihamid Nur who clocked in at 27:47.27 to win at the West Coast Relays with his teammate Blaise Ferro finishing second. There are now four athletes to have run under 28 minutes.

In the steeplechase, which seems to have a new leader every week, Ahmed Jaziri of Eastern Kentucky took over the number one ranking. His winning time of 8:32.92 at the Kansas City Qualifier over Ryan Smeeton of Oklahoma State puts him atop the leaderboard. Jaziri is another example of a small school athlete performing well against big school athletes. This event has had so much flux throughout the season it is hard to nail down a favorite. We will however consider Jaziri a contender.

On the women’s side the lone number one performance came in the steeplechase and had a familiar name. BYU’s Courtney Wayment took the national lead with her time of 9:31.37. Not only did she gain a six second lead on the number two ranked runner in the nation, Joyce Kimeli of Auburn but she made a statement against previous number one Hannah Steele of NC State who finished second in the race with a time of 9:48.38. Wayment is having a great 2021 season. She claimed the indoor national title in the 3,000 and is carrying over that success to the outdoors.

FIELD EVENTS

In the high jump there are two new number one performances. On the men’s side it is the familiar name of JuVaughn Harrison of LSU. The talented senior who completed the rare double indoors winning the high jump and long jump, now has the number one ranking in both outdoors. He leaped to a national leading mark of 7 feet 6 ½ inches (2.30m). 

On the women’s side it was talented newcomer Rachel Glenn of South Carolina. The true freshman wowed the competition at the North Florida invite with her leap of 6 feet 3 ¼ inches (1.91m). That mark surpasses Tyra Gittens of Texas A&M. There are now five women who can leap of six feet in the SEC, making the conference championships that will happen in two weeks all the most interesting.

Khayla Dawson of Indiana has never been mentioned here before, but it is time we learn her name. On her home field Dawson launched the shot put 62 feet and a ½ inch (18.91m). She has given herself a 2-foot lead on the performance list and looks to be the latest contender in the event with quite a few talented champions.

TEAM COMPETITON

LSU seems to be unbeatable on both sides. They have such depth in the sprints, hurdles, jumps, relays and even contenders to score in the throws and distance events. This is perhaps Dennis Shaver’s best coaching job, after being second or third numerous times here is a group that seems to have the makeup of a champion.

On the men’s side defending Champion Florida does not have the talent that their championship teams did and looks to be on the outside looking in. Texas A&M always shows up at the national meet and the home team Oregon who will have a strong contingent that looks to be rounding into shape just before the post season.

On the women’s side Arkansas and Texas pose the biggest threat. Both teams are fully loaded and capable of scoring in multiple events. Arkansas will still of course lean on their vaunted distance core but like indoors you cannot ignore that capabilities in the sprints. This will make for an interesting show down come Nationals.