2023 NCAA Division 1 NCAA Outdoor Championships Recap

 Florida Wins Again!

Texas Scores 83!

What a season. The 2023 NCAA season came to a close this past weekend at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. We of course had a couple of NCAA records fall and we had some eye popping final moments. In this recap we will take a look back at every event and the champion.

SPRINTS/HURDLES

Women

100- Julien Alfred of Texas winning here had to be the least surprising performance of the meet. A meet where there were some upsets, this event seemed one the least likely. Alfred was on her home track having an incredible year. Her winning time, although wind-aided was still quite special in 10.72. She dominated from the start and with her speed as well as strength she was able to pull away from the field.

200- Alfred of Texas was again dominant here with a winning wind-aided time of 21.73. Ole Miss start McKenize Long was the closest anyone got to Alfred with her runner-up time of 21.88. This completed Alfred’s first 200-meter NCAA title and the first double in a while. If this is Alfred’s final season, she has had an incredible career.

400- Neither the defending champion, Talitha Diggs of Florida, or the NCAA record holder, Britton Wilson, claimed the NCAA title. Texas took the title here again proving their sprint dominance. Rhasidat Adeleke a multi-talented sprinter clocked a meet record 49.20 in the 400. She almost eclipsed Wilson’s NCAA record of 49.13. It seems for Wilson the 400 meter- 400 hurdle double may have been to much. She finished in second with a time of 49.64. Cheers to Adeleke for also breaking the Irish National Record yet again.

100 Hurdles- What an event this has been all season. Ackera Nugent of Arkansas, Masai Russell of Kentucky and defending champion Alia Armstrong of LSU. All three were capable of winning and it would come down to who made the fewest mistakes and followed through with their technique throughout the entire race. Nugent was the one. Nugent’s race was flawless, using her incredible speed she powered to a time of 12.25. Her time was wind-aided but it is the fastest time ever regardless of conditions. Nugent a rising star should be a name we here more of later this season as she attempts to make the Jamaican National team.

400 Hurdles- This was supposed to be another race Wilson had in the bag. Even though the events are 30 minutes from each other, she still attempted a grueling double. She was clearly out of gas and completing the double was perhaps too much. The star finished seventh in 55.92. Savannah Sutherland of Michigan by way of Canada found her way across the line first. Using not only good technique but strong endurance to claim the title in a personal best time of 54.45, just ahead of Masai Russell who clocked in at 54.66. I am sure we have not heard the last of any of these ladies but especially Wilson. She will have a decision to make when it comes to making Team USA.

4x100 Relay- Texas was simply sensational this weekend. The moved the baton swiftly even without perfect passing. The ran the NCAA record in the semi-finals with a time of 41.55. Their time in the finals was 41.60. Their team consisted of Julien Alfred, Ezinne Abba, Rhasidat Adeleke and Kevona Davis on anchor.

4x400 Relay- Arkansas had the most depth in the 400 in NCAA history. The won the NCAA title here without Britton Wilson who was likely still exhausted after that grueling 400-400 hurdle attempt. The Razorbacks ran a time of 3:24.05 to claim the title. They won the race by more than two seconds and answered every challenge. Their team consisted of Paris Peoples, Joanne Reid, Nickisha Pryce, and Rosey Effiong.

Men

100- This race became more open once Terrance Jones of Texas Tech failed to qualify. PJ Austin of Florida entered the race as the fastest qualifier after having 9.89 in the semi-final round, his reason was that he was just trying to qualify. That I understand because these guys were burning up the track. In the finals Austin would finish fifth with a time of 9.97. It was Courtney Lindsey of Texas Tech who claimed the title of lane 8 maintaining a strong finish to 9.89. It was a close race with seven men under 10 seconds.

200- Udodi Onwuzurike of Stanford continued his impressive season. After running a NCAA leading 19.76 in the semi-finals, he came back to win the title in 19.84. His time was wind-legal and one of four under 20 seconds. The final here was also close with Lindsey in second with 19.86, his Texas Tech teammate Terrance Jones with 19.87 and Florida’s Robert Gregory in fourth with 19.89. Jones made a nice comeback after missing the 100 and to see all four run not only under 20 seconds but under 19.9.

400- This event ended with a surprise winner as well. Ryan Willie of Florida entered as the favorite after winning the SEC title and leading the NCAA with a time of 44.28. In the final he found himself surprisingly beaten by teammate Emmanuel Bamidele who ran 44.24 to Willie’s 44.25. Running out lane 8 clearly did not deter him and led to the 1-2 finish in the men’s 400 for the first time since 19.88. Elija Godwin of Georgia was injured during the 4x100 relay and did not compete in the final. The Gators got another two points from JeVaughn Powell who finished in 7^th.

110 Hurdles- Phillip Lemonius of Arkansas got the attention of everyone with his semi-final performance where he clocked a time of 13.28 to become the top qualifier. He vaulted to the top of the favorites list and with Arkansas deep in the team title hunt it was to be expected. Lemonius lived up to the hype winning the NCAA title in a wind-legal time of 13.24. His time is the fastest in the NCAA this season and performed at the right time. Lemonius is a junior by way of Jamaica and he like Nugent will have a tough task making team Jamaica for the World Championships. I fully expect for Lemonius to return next season as the heavy favorite.

400 Hurdles- Things began with a bang in the semi-finals. Top hurdler Ayden Owens did not make the final. This left him out of the final day all together since he did not compete in the decathlon. This left the field open. Chris Robinson of Alabama took full advantage. The talented junior ran a strong race throughout culminating with him leading the last few hurdles coming down the stretch. He clocked the best time of the NCAA season with 48.12 to mark himself the undisputed number one. Robinson was apart of Alabama’s 1-2 performance with Corde Long in second with 48.53.

4x100 Relay- We thought that Texas Tech had pulled off the upset and joined the sub 38 second club which had become just Florida and LSU. Their time of 37.93 shined across my screen and I was stunned. Unfortunately, it was not to be. The Red Raiders were disqualified for a handoff outside the zone and the LSU Tigers were named national champions with a time of 38.06. Florida was third in 38.26. LSU’s team had been hot all year long. Brandon Hicklin, Dorian Camel, De’Marcus Fleming and Godson Oghenebrume rounded out their strong quartet.

4x400 Relay- Of course it would come down to the 4x400 relay. The Gators and the 4x400 just seem to go together nicely. With it being the final event their was only five points between the Gators and the Arkansas Razorbacks. All they needed was to win and for the Razorbacks to finish 5^th or worse. The Gators battled and led Arizona State throughout the race. It came down to the final leg and Ryan Willie would not be passed. The Gators finished with an NCAA record time of 2:57.74. The Sun Devils would finish second in 2:57.78. Arkansas finished in a disappointing eighth place with a time of 3:03.66. The Gators would claim their 6^th NCAA Outdoor team title.  

DISTANCE

Women

800- Indoor champion and true freshman Roisin Willis of Stanford has been absent from the spotlight. Not for lack of competing but due to the bright light emitting from LSU’s Michaela Rose. She has run under 2 minutes 3 times this season. Her third time came this past weekend with a winning time of 1:59.73. She has been consistent all outdoor season and has no losses. With a personal best of 1:59.08, I am sure the super sophomore will be wowing us more in this season, and she hopes to make Team USA for the World Championships.

1,500- With Katelyn Touhy of NC State in this race the headlines and predictions all fell her way. Touhy however did not have a good championship, she finished seventh here and did not show for the 5,000. A surprise winner in Maia Ramsden of Harvard took the crown. The sophomore ran a personal best race of 4:08.60 to claim the title. Ramsden was born in Ethiopia and competes for New Zealand. Ramsden was apart of the impressive weekend Harvard had at the NCAA Championships.

5,000/10,000- As I previously stated Touhy did not show here in the 5,000 leaving Parker Valby of Florida and Everlyn Kemboi of Utah Valley to focus on each other. Kemboi had a tough weekend and on Thursday night she claimed the crowned in the 10,000 with a time of 32:39.08. Kemboi came back to complete the double. Valby’s fresher legs helped to her outrun Kemboi and avoid a finishing kick. Valby claims her first NCAA title with a time of 15:30.57. She won by exactly nine seconds with Kemboi clocking in at 15:39.57 to for second. Two standout performances. I give extra credit to Kemboi for trying such a tough double especially when she dominated the last few laps of the 10,000 with Mercy Chelangat of Alabama giving chase.

3,000 Steeplechase- Another race where the favorite did not come out as the victor. It was Olivia Markezich of Notre Dame. She did not enter the meet as a favorite, but her ACC title proved that she is certainly a gamer. It took a personal best time of 9:25.03 to outduel Greta Karinauskaite of CBU who the favorite was going in. Markezich of Notre Dame is another positive example of the strong program at Notre Dame that has been built. Just a junior, may we see her come back and do it again, let us hope.

Men

800- Yuzuf Bizimana of Texas was the indoor champion and entered the meet as the favorite. True freshman Will Sumner of Georgia did not get the message. Sumner had quite the high school career as not only an 800 runner but also as a 400 runner. His speed is incredible and was on full display. Sumner led at the break with his first lap timed at 53.12. He ran a final lap of 51.15 to a winning 800 time of 1:44.26. His time is the second fastest in meet history and it is clear he has a bright future ahead of him.

1,500- One of the top pre meet favorites was defending champion Joe Waskom of Washington. Waskom did run a great race but finished in second to a surprise. His teammate and one of Washington’s talented milers, sophomore Nathan Green. Green clocked a winning time of 3:42.78. This gave Washington a 1-2 finish. In the field only one senior in the top eight indicating that there will be more great races like this one for years to come.

5,000/10,000- Ky Robinson of Stanford took over the lead in the 5k race with two laps to go. The last two laps it was all him and he never let up. Robinson clocked in at 14:04.77 to win the 5k. Not a superstar time but still a great time and performance. Robinson is one of the five athletes that Stanford brought to the meet, and he certainly made his appearance felt winning his second NCAA title of the weekend completing an impressive double.  

The 5k was on Friday night but Wednesday night was when we knew that he was different animal. He claimed the 10,000-meter run or 10k with a time of 28:10.96. He pushed towards the front of the pack and was making his presence known throughout the race. The last two laps is where he properly timed it and made his move. Finishing second was his teammate Charles Hicks giving Stanford a 1-2 finish, 18 team points.

3,000 Steeplechase- Defending champion Duncan Hamilton of Montana State ran a solid race to finish with a time of 8:32.18. Unfortunately, that was only good enough for second. Kenneth Rooks of BYU took the lead from Hamilton with a little over 2 laps to go. His finishing kick was too much for Hamilton who led majority of the race. BYU has become quite the distance power and Rooks adds to the their growing championship tradition.

JUMPS

Women

High Jump- I thought I would be coming to you to say that Lamara Distin of Texas A&M has done it again, another NCAA title. That would not be the case, Distin was only able to achieve a mark of 6 fee t1 ½ inches (1.87m) for a second-place finish. It was a name not mentioned here before, Charity Griffith of Ball State University. Griffith used a personal best performance of 6 feet 4 inches (1.93m) to claim the NCAA title.

Pole Vault- If you are noticing a theme of not only my predictions being wrong for this meet but all pre meet favorites struggled you would be right to notice. Nastassja Campbell of Washington was another favorite who finished second with her mark of 14 feet 7 ¼ inches (4.45m). She loss the competition due to the number of attempts due to the number of attempts it took to complete a height. Julia Fixsen of Virginia Tech took less attempts to clear the same height to win the NCAA title. It took Campbell three and Fixsen one.

Long Jump- The favorites struggling continued here in the long jump. Defending Champion Jasmine Moore did not have her best performance here. After jumping 23 feet indoors she finished her with a jump of 21 feet 10 ¼ inches (6.66m) for third overall. Ackelia Smith of Texas refused to lose on her home track. The talented sophomore by way of Jamaica leaped to a mark of 22 feet 7 inches (6.88m). Smith has been in the shadow a little to Moore but this outdoor season she has held the top mark all year long and an NCAA title is just the icing on the cake.

Triple Jump- Moore would rebound her in a big way. On her second attempt Moore would break the NCAA Meet and Collegiate record with her winning mark of 48 feet 6 inches (14.78m). Smith was a close second with a mark of 47 feet 8 ½ inches (14.54m). Moore has won every championship meet as a Gator in the Triple Jump. She still has another year of eligibility. Will she return is the big question, especially after we all expect her to make Team USA this summer.

Men

High Jump- Vernon Turner of Oklahoma was another pre-meet favorite where things did not go his way. Turner finished second with a jump of 7 feet 5 ¼ inches (2.27m). It took him three attempts to clear the previous height of 7 feet 4 ¼ inches (2.24m). Romaine Beckford of South Florida by way of Jamaica cleared the same height but only took two attempts to clear the previous height.

Pole Vault- Yet again another pre-meet favorite faulters. Sondre Guttormsen of Princeton has been having quite the career. To my shock and more than likely to the many of you the dominant vaulter finished in 6^th with a mark of 18 feet 4 ½ inches (5.60m). It was a junior from South Alabama, Kyle Rademeyer who leaped to 18 feet 8 ¼ inches (5.70m) to claim the NCAA title.

Long Jump- Carey McLeod seems to no one when show up. The star from Arkansas again claimed the NCAA title. His winning mark was 27 feet 1 ¼ inches (8.26m), performed on his first jump. He took the lead from the start and never relinquished it. Wayne Pinnock his younger superstar teammate did enter as the favorite and finished in second with a mark of 26 feet 9 inches (8.15m).

Triple Jump- Jaydon Hibbert of Arkansas is having a true sensational season, not just as a freshman but period. Hibbert leaped to a mark of 57 feet 7 ½ inches (17.56m). He hit that mark on his first attempt. He only jumped once more after that and did not attempt for the rest of the meet. He ended a truly remarkable season and big way.

THROWS

Hammer- Jordan Geist of Arizona was the pre-meet favorite and threw a personal best mark of 249 feet 3 inches (75.97m). It was however not enough as he to left as a favorite with no title. It was Harvard sophomore Kenneth Ikeji with his winning mark of 255 feet 8 inches (77.92m) that claimed the title. His mark was also a collegiate best.

Javelin- Tzuriel Pedigo was the champion in this event in 2021 but he finished third last outdoor season and has not been a list of preseason or pre-meet favorites. Shame on me as he proved to still have that Championship spark. The junior launched the javelin to a personal best mark of 261 feet 9 inches (79.79m). He was 10 big team points for the Tigers and a second national title in his trophy case. It is time he gets more recognition after a performance like that.

Shot Put- Geist shook off that third place finish in the hammer and delivered in the Shot Put. The favorite entering the meet was able to add a much-needed national title to his trophy case. His winning throw of 69 feet 1 ¼ inches (21.06m) was completed on his final throw securing his victory. Turner Washington who won the event in 2021 finished in second with a throw of 69 feet ½ inch, a season’s best mark.

Discus- Washington came back from Wednesday’s showing where he finished second to claim the Discus title with a celebration that nearly got him disqualified. I do not think it should have come to that his celebration is what the sport needs as he was clearly relieved and excited especially after having been second or third in a lot of champion meets recently. His winning throw was 217 feet 3 inches (66.22m), a season’s best.

MULTI-

Heptathlon- In the heptathlon it was true freshman Pippi Lotta Enok of Oklahoma was one four athletes over 6,000 points. She claimed victory in 2 of 7 events and score enough points, 6165, to win the heptathlon as freshman. Her very first NCAA Championships in the Heptathlon results in a national title. Only place to go from here is up.

Decathlon- In the men’s decathlon it was a 1-2 battle all the way. Pre-meet favorite and defending champion Kyle Garland of Georgia versus home track favorite Leo Neugebauer of Texas who has been chasing Garland his whole career. Garland has broken the NCAA record been at the top of the list for so long it is hard to fathom that he was defeated this weekend by Neugebauer who not only beat him to win the NCAA title but to also break the Collegiate/NCAA meet record that Garland once held. Neugebauer scored a total of 8,836 points! He claimed victory in 3 of 10 events but finished in the top 3 in 6 other events. Only in the 1,500 is where he finished outside of the top 3 by finishing 17^th. What a performance!

TEAM TITLE

Women- Arkansas had a few things not go their way. Seeing Wilson faulter in two events she was favored to win hurt their chances. They still claimed two championship wins with the 100 hurdles with Ackera Nugent and the 4x400 relay. However, Texas just had way too much this weekend. They scored 83 points without their 4x400 relay which was disqualified in the finals. To be fair it is likely they would have won it with their full team. Winning the 100, 200, 400, Long Jump and 400 relay was 50 points just with those performances. Four athletes qualified into the finals in the 100 and three in the 200. What an explosive group that never let up.

Men- What a meet. Florida was the defending champion but did not seem to have enough pieces to win the NCAA title. It felt as if it was Arkansas’s meet to lose. The Razorbacks first mishap came when Ayden Owens-Delereme did not qualify to the finals nor did their 4x100 meter relay squad. They did get big performances from their jumpers.

On the final day Florida just seem to fight for every point. Going 1-2 in the 400 was totally not expected and along with a 7^th place finish they scored 20 points alone in one event. There was a disqualification in the 4x100 relay moving them from third to second. They also refused to relinquish their hold on the 4x400 relay and found a way to break their NCAA record again and maintain their hold on it nationally. 57 Points was enough to crown the Gators champions again. Back-to-Back!

2023 NCAA Division 1 Championship Preview- Field

 

(Jaydon Hibbert-Arkansas) 

The final preview of the Division 1 NCAA Outdoor Championships. This post I will be discussing those amazing field athletes. I will be previewing jumps, throws and multi’s. I think we are clearly in for a treat as we know of several records that have been broken and under threat to be broken again.

JUMPS

Women

High Jump- Lamara Distin of Texas A&M is not only the defending champion but she is the clear favorite heading into the meet. She has been dominant over the past two seasons. Having claimed three NCAA titles, two indoors and one out she looks to complete the set by winning another outdoor title. She has yet to surpass her personal best jump of 6 feet 5 ½ inches (1.97m) but that has not been a need. We will likely see Distin at her very best at her final NCAA Championship.

The top two challengers are Elena Kulichenko of Georgia and Cierra Tidwell of BYU. Kulichenko is the latest jump star out of Georgia and has been the closest to beating Distin. I still think Distin will run away with the title but expect for Kulichenko and Tidwell to show up.

Pole Vault- Nastassja Campbell of Washington formerly of Arkansas has been the leader all season. The change clearly has done her some good with her national leading mark of 14’11 (4.55m). She has not been flawless with a few second place finishes here and there but she has been a top tier performer. Chloe Timberg of Rutgers and Olivia Lueking of Oklahoma will make things interesting. No one has reached 15 feet this season we may finally see it here.

Long Jump- This event is where could see the NCAA record break. Jasmine Moore of Florida has been the class of the field for the past two years. She enters the meet ranked number two but if you have been paying attention Jasmine performs at her best on the Championships stage. Leading the nation and main challenger will be Ackelia Smith of Texas. Smith will be on her home track and has the only outdoor jump over 23 feet this season. Moore’s teammate Claire Bryant is the final challenger in what should be a true showdown. Until Moore is beaten, I feel she is the favorite to win and will.

Triple Jump- Jasmine Moore of Florida is the defending champion here as well. She broke the overall NCAA records indoors at the NCAA Indoor Championships and I expect for much of the same here. She is the overall leader and will look to defend her title. Mikeisha Welcome of Georgia and Charisma Taylor of Tennessee look to challenger her. Welcome held the number one mark early in the season until Moore took it by defeating her at the SEC Championships. Taylor was also beaten in that same competition. Taylor will also be competing in the long jump as well as the 100 hurdles. Taylor’s very busy weekend make it difficult for her to win. My vote is for Moore.

Men

High Jump- Vernon Turner of Oklahoma has a NCAA title on his resume. He claimed the 2022 NCAA Indoor title and was on a winning streak until last outdoor championships were he finished fourth. He has been back to winning ways this outdoor season and leads the nation with a jump of 7 feet 6 ½ inches (2.30m). The irony is that is still not his personal best and he is the clear favorite. He has two strong challengers in what is a great field. Trey Allen of Louisville and Romaine Beckford of South Florida. Beckford rises to the occasion against strong competition and will give Turner a true challenge for the title.

Pole Vault- Defending Champion Sondre Guttormsen of Princeton has done everything he could to cement favorite status. He is having an impressive 2023 and it looks like he will finish with a cherry on top by winning the NCAA title this weekend. Zach Bradford who transferred to Texas Tech in the off season has been his biggest challenger and having an equally impressive season. Both have jumped over 19 feet and have looked impressive while doing it. Rounding out the top three is Branson Ellis of Stephen F. Austin. That program continually produces great vaulters. Guttormsen has not been dethroned yet and when challenged he steps up. I predict here not only does he win but an NCAA record is to follow.

Long Jump- Wayne Pinnock has been on a tear since he arrived too college. Last season he arrived at Tennessee and started winning titles right out the gate. This season he transferred to Arkansas to follow his coach and he does not have an NCAA title. This past indoor season it was teammate Carey McLeod that followed the same coach, that claimed the Indoor title. The jump marks have been impressive, they were over 27 feet indoors! We have not seen a 28-foot jump outdoors yet, but it may take that to win the title. Jeremiah Davis of Florida State is certainly capable and finished second to McLeod indoors. Davis is a dual threat that will truly challenge the field in both events. I pick McLeod to show up big again.

Triple Jump- Jaydon Hibbert of Arkansas, a true freshman from Jamaica, has been the most talked about freshman this season. He has let the triple jump on fire. He owns the NCAA record already and NCAA Indoor title and has been unstoppable this season with zero losses in the triple jump. I expect for him to win convincingly and break the NCAA record again.

In the field we will see Russell Robinson of Miami and Sean Dixon-Bodie of Florida. Robinson has been impressive all season long and for a moment was the number one ranked athlete. Dixon-Bodie has been injured and has been coming on strong as we enter the post season. His mark at the Eastern Regional pushed him to the number three spot.  As his health improves, we may see an impressive mark from him this weekend.

THROWS

Women

Shot Put- A new champion will be crowned. Axelina Johansson of Nebraska took the reigns after Adelaide Aquilla’s final indoor season ended. Johannson is the national leader with a mark 64 feet 1 ¼ inches (19.54m). She has been the top collegian all season long and is a returning All-American looking to finally claim a title. Josie Schaefer of Wisconsin and Jorinde Van Klinken of Oregon will challenge her. Van Klinken already has an NCAA title in the event and with Aquilla out of the way has an easier path back to the title. Johannson has beaten her before so it will not be easy for Van Klinken. Schaefer has sat in the shadow of Johansson all year long and it looks like it will continue. My vote is for Johansson.

Discus- This is where Van Klinken is truly favored. She has been the number one discus thrower this season and needs another NCAA title to further cement her legacy. This is her third school, and she has a title at each. Veronica Fraley of Vanderbilt and Faith Bender of Ohio State will give challenge, but I believe this is Van Klinken’s title to win.

Hammer- Cal is just spitting out stars in the throwing events. Their new star is Anna Purchase. She has been a household name but not as a champion. She has to sit in the shadow of Camryn Rogers who dominated for Cal over the years, and she even shockingly finished 2^nd at the Pac-12 Championships a few weeks ago to Shelby Moran of Oregon. Purchase however is the number one ranked athlete and I think she will be looking to better her performance from the conference championship. Stephanie Ratcliffe of Harvard rounds out our top three performers and being the east coast thrower of the group, she may be on the outside looking in but with her marks she is clearly capable. I think Purchase takes the title here, but Moran will push her.

Javelin- Rhema Otabor of Nebraska leads what should be a 1-2 punch from Nebraksa with her teammate Maddie Harris. Nebraska a great field event school will be flexing their throwing muscles this weekend with the possibility of two champions in the throwing events. Madison Wiltrout of North Carolina rounds out the top three. Otabor has been the national leader since late April and only has one loss this outdoor season, to her teammate Maddie. Wiltrout is on the outside looking in but with this being the NCAA Championships you can never truly count anyone out. With that being said I still feel Otabor will win, with her lead on the field and consistent performances this year make labeling her the champion much easier.

Men

Shot Put- This event will have some fireworks. With three strong contenders in Jonah Wilson of Nebraska, Jordan Geist of Arizona and Turner Washington of Arizona State you are looking at an incredible field. Washington has an NCAA title in this event and has been looking to get back to 2021 when he last did claim the title. Geist has been on a tear this year, living up to the hype he built in high school. Wilson is another talented thrower from Nebraska who has been fighting for the top spot this season which he has. Geist has beaten both this season consistently including at the Indoor Championship. Most recently he took down Washington at the Pac-12 Championship. I expect the same this weekend.

Discus- Washington of Arizona State is in the top three here as well. He also has a national title in this event as well in 2021. He is truly attempting to recapture the magic of that season. Mykolas Alekna of California has been the leader all year long and the NCAA record holder. He defeated Washington at the Pac-12 Championship. Roje Stona of Arkansas is the third challenger. Stona has been dominating on the east coast and in specific the SEC Championship. With Arkansas as one of the team title contenders here his points are crucial. Alekna however has been too good and has a NCAA record to show for it. I expect for him to improve on that mark and claim the title.

Hammer- Geist of Arizona shows up here as a contender for the title. He is ranked number two in the nation behind Kostas Zaltos of Minnesota. Kenneth Ikeji of Harvard rounds out the top three. Harvard is in it to win it in a few throwing events. Although Geist is ranked second here, I am going to with him winning. Geist has been a big meet performer and I believe he is looking to impress the crowd with a double.

Javelin- The defending champion Marc Minichelo of Georgia formerly of Penn is in the driver’s seat for the title. Top mark of 2023 goes to Keyshawn Strachan of Auburn who will not be competing. With him out Minichelo will have an easier time defending his national title. Ethan Dabbs of Viriginia who is the top entrant and Chinecherem Prosper Nnamdi of Baylor round out the top three. Minichelo to me is the obvious favorite, should and will win.

MULTI’S

Women’s Heptathlon

Indoors Jadin O’Brien of Notre Dame was the multi-event queen winning the Pentathlon. She has only competed in the Heptathlon once this outdoor season and it resulted in the Texas Relays title, very eatly in the season. She is the only top athlete in the field not over 6,000 points but I expect for her to still be in the mix. The leader is Allie Jones of USC, yes USC. She is a transfer from Stanford with remarkable pedigree. She is a talented, sprinter, jumper and hurdler and could potentially when five events out of seven. She is the obvious favorite and my pick to win the title.

Men’s Decathlon

Kyle Garland has been the big name in the event for the past couple seasons and has been a big name since he arrived at Georgia with an impressive high school career. He is a big meet performer and capable of being the all-time great in this event. Leo Neugebauer of Texas will be on his home track and has shown to be an impressive athlete as well. Neugebauer has scored over 8,000 points this season like Garland and will give everything he has to dethrone Garland. Heath Baldwin of Michigan State is over 8,000 points as well and has been steadily improving over the course of his career. I still think Garland takes it, but it will not be easy.

TEAM TITLE

Women

1.       Texas

2.       Florida

3.       Arkansas

Men

1.       Arkansas

2.       Texas Tech

3.       Florida

 

2023 NCAA Division 1 Championship Preview- Distance

 

(Katelyn Touhy-NC State) 

Here we are with Part 2 of my preview series. In this post I will primarily focus on the distance events. We have seen some incredible performances by our distance athletes this year and I expect for the Championship meet to be no different.

DISTANCE

Women

800- The outdoor season has been different than the indoor season. Indoors Stanford’s freshman duo (Roisin Willis, Juliette Whittaker) dominated the season. Outdoors we have not seem them dominate the same way and instead it has been LSU star Michaela Rose. Her sub 2 minute time of 1:59:08 is the only sub 2 minute time all season. I also would not be surprised if she ran 1:58. Rose is having an impressive season and it cannot go ignored.

Challenging her will be in the indoor champion Roisin Willis of Stanford and Claire Seymour of BYU. Seymour is also having quite the season and will look to mix things up while challenging for a title. Willis is clearly capable but I believe Rose has too much going for her right now and will find a way to win.

1,500/5,000- Katelyn Touhy of NC State is looking to complete an impressive double by winning the 1,500 and 5,000. Touhy is having a remarkable year to add to her young NCAA career. She is the national leader in the 1,500 and the defending NCAA Champion in the 5,000. She will have her hands full in both races with athletes who will pick one race to compete in and will take advantage of the lack of rest. Touhy will deal with Izzy Thornton-Bott of Oregon and Margot Appleton of Virginia in the 1,500. In the 5,000 she will receive challenges from National leader Everlyn Kemboi of Utah Valley and rival Parker Valby of Florida. Touhy is certainly capable of winning both races, but the challenge is certainly there.

10,000- Everlyn Kemboi is also attempting a grueling double by competing not only in the 5,000 but in the 10,000 as well. She is not the top dog in the 10k however it is Emily Venters of Utah and Mercy Chelangat of Alabama. Chelangat is the defending champion and a senior. Chelangat has proven to be better at the longer distances and this race should be no different. Venters of Utah has been beaten already by Kemboi and like Kemboi will be competing in both the 5k and 10k. With her two biggest challengers competing in two events Chelangat is in prime position to defend her national title.

3,000 Steeplechase- Greta Karinauskaite of California Baptist University is competing in her first NCAA Championship and is doing so as the favorite to win the Steeplechase. She has the top time nationally and has been a consistent top performer all season long. The top returnee from last year in the field Cieli McCabe of West Virginia who finished third here last season and had quite the impressive time. McCabe is a real threat to win the national title with her championship background. Elise Thorner of New Mexico is also a returning All-American finishing fifth here last year. She is ranked third overall nationally and will be ready to perform.

Finally, there is the number two ranked national performer and that is Grace Fetherstonhaugh of Oregon State. The Pac-12 champion did not score last year but did finish 10^th overall. Although she does not have the awards that McCabe and Thorner she does have the experience and a great time. This perhaps the most interesting of all the distance races because of all four names mentioned each one is capable. I however am convinced that Greta Karinauskaite is the best in the field and the winner.

Men

800- Yusuf Bizimana of Texas enters the meet as the heavy favorite to win the title. As the indoor champion and the current ranked number one athlete in the nation in the 800 it is clear why he is the favorite. Having a personal best of 1:45.82 does not hurt either. Bizimana has been performing at a high level since his arrival at Texas last season so he will certainly be ready to earn the praise he has received. Tarees Rhoden of Clemson and his teammate Crayton Carrozza will be his main challengers. Rhoden is a gamer and an 800 runner with great speed. Indoors Texas finished 1-2 and with the meet being on their home track I would not be surprised if they did it again.

1,500- Fouad Messaoudi of Oklahoma State already has one NCAA title winning the 3,000 indoors. He just missed qualifying last year and stepped his game up in a major way by earning the top spot in the nation. Joe Waksom of Washington is the leader of their incredible mile group. Waksom also is the defending champion in this event and will enter as the favorite. Messaoudi has the top time and an NCAA title, but Waksom is the defending champion in the 1,500 and has had an impressive outdoor season as well. Anass Essayi of South Carolina ran an impressive mile indoors and is looking to avenge his 2022 performance. Essayi is a big-time talent and capable of winning the title. I think Messaoudi is the best man for the job and will claim the title.

5,000- Brian Fay is another clog in the Washington engine. With Joe Waksom in the 1,500, Brian Fay is their hope in the 5,000. He is the national leader with a time of 13:21.99. The top returnee based on performance is Nico Young of Northern Arizona, he finished third last year. Also in the field is Graham Blanks of Harvard who is ranked number two. The field here is strong but Fay and Blanks are having quite the year. Young is still searching for that NCAA title and normally finishes near the top could this potentially be the meet where he finally cashes in? I say no, Fay has been rock solid all year long and I do not see this meet being any different.

10,000- Dylan Jacobs of Tennessee is the defending champion. He ran for Notre Dame last season and now at Tennessee he has been doing more of the same. He is attempting to complete a grueling double by also competing in the 5,000. The 10,000 however is where he is strongest and will have an equally quality field to compete against. The number one ranked performer is a returning All-American in Charles Hicks of Stanford, and the number two performer is Victor Kiprop of Alabama.

Kiprop has the SEC title and is having a great outdoor season but so is Hicks and Hicks has All-American pedigree. I expect for Jacobs to find a way to defend his title, but I would not be shocked to see either Hicks or Kiprop win it.

3,000 Steeplechase- We hear all the time of how open this race is, and I am becoming a little skeptical. The top entrant in the event Duncan Hamilton of Montana St. The senior finished second her last season, but it is performing well not just in the steeplechase but in the 1,500 also where he is number three nationally. He has shown his versatility and with impressive times to me he is a step above the field. He still should find challenge in Matthew Wilkinson of Minnesota and Ed Trippas of Washington. The field will have two athletes from Eastern Kentucky and neither are defending champion Ahmed Jaziri but he is not in the field and I believe Hamilton is just the person to win the title and fill the void.

 

NEXT: My next post will be about the field events, both throwers and jumpers.

2023 NCAA Division 1 Championship Preview- Sprints/Hurdles

(Terrence Jones- Texas Tech)

We have finally made it. The NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships. This meet is a must see on the track and field yearly calendar and I believe this will be one of the best meets we have seen. The meet will be held at the University of Texas in Austin and will have an invested crowd as the Texas women are number one in the country with an incredibly strong contingent. This is our first of three previews; in this preview I will review the sprints and hurdles. In preview 2 it will be distance and preview 3 will be field events and multi’s.

SPRINTS/HURDLES

Women

100- There are three main contenders in every race this coming weekend. In the 100 Julien Alfred of Texas is not only the defending champion but the hometown favorite. She will be on her home track and like indoors I expect for her to break at least one NCAA record. She has a wind-legal personal best of 10.81 and with the NCAA record being 10.75 set by Sha’Carri Richardson I expect for Alfred to give that a real chase.

Also in the race will be Jacious Sears of Tennessee who has been a solid number two all year long. She is the fastest woman in the SEC and that carries a lot of weight. She has a PR of 10.96 and running sub 11 is what will be needed to win. Her last challenge should come from her teammate Kevona Davis. Davis a star in Jamaica at the junior level is having quite the impressive career. Davis has a personal best of 10.95 and will be on her home track too giving Alfred a great chase.

200- Alfred improved her 200-meter performance this past season. Last season and previous seasons it were clear that the 200 was a secondary event for her. Head coach Floréal has clearly sought to change that by having Alfred run on the 4x400 relay making her 200 stronger. She ran a 22.01 indoors which was faster than the old outdoor NCAA record that sat for years. She has dipped under 22 seconds having run 21.91.

Giving chase in the 200 will be teammates Kevona Davis and Lanae Thomas. I believe it is quite possible we are looking at a 1-2-3 sweep by the Longhorns in what is one of the strongest sprint teams I have ever seen. This reminds me of the great LSU teams in the 90’s where they would finish 1-2-3 in the either 100 or 200. Davis has a personal best of 22.26. Thomas is not far behind with a personal best of 22.38.

400- Entering the season we thought it would be all about Talitha Diggs of Florida. She is the defending NCAA Champion and ran 49.99 to win the Outdoor Championships this season. Britton Wilson of Arkansas leads their incredibly deep group and primarily ran the 400 hurdles last season even though it is clear she has great open 400-meter speed. She has given that more focus this season and broke the NCAA record with a time of 49.13 to win the SEC Championships. She ran 49.48 indoors leading me to believe that she may be able to run 48 outdoors. There never has been a collegiate athlete to run 48 seconds and only two American women have run that.

Also, in the race with Wilson and Diggs is of course the hometown star Rhasidat Adeleke of Texas. The tall well-rounded sprinter joined the sub 50 this season too with her personal best of 49.54. She is a big part of that Texas sprint machine and can go toe to toe with both Wilson and Diggs.

100 Hurdles- Ackera Nugent of Arkansas is having quite the year. The talented youngster from Jamaica made the switch from Baylor in the off season and it has clearly paid off. She broke the NCAA indoor record in the 60-meter hurdles and has come out this outdoor season and competed like a champ. She must contend with defending 100 hurdles champion of Alia Armstrong of LSU who is favored to win and has beaten her already along with Masai Russell of Kentucky whose NCAA record she broke indoors. All three have rub sub 12.5 this season wind legal. Nugent certainly has the speed and the ability to show up at Championship meets but I expect for Armstrong to defend her title and continue her winning ways.

400 Hurdles- Britton Wilson of Arkansas is attempting a grueling double, the 400 and 400 hurdle double. The talented star is number one in both and ran in the world top three in both. She has run 53.23 in the hurdles and has not had much competition all year long. With her speed with perfect technique, she could perhaps run low 51 seconds in the hurdles. That will not be needed here maintaining a low 53 should be enough to win.

The top two challengers chasing her will be Masai Russell of Kentucky and Savanna Sutherland of Michigan. Both hurdles have run low 55 seconds in the hurdles and have had impressive seasons, but they are facing a big challenge of competing against Wilson.  

4x100- Texas is the clear headliner here. They have broken the NCAA record in the even and became the first team under 42 seconds with a time of 41.89. The Lady Longhorns have real depth with four athletes in the 100 meters. They likely will go sub 42 again and perhaps lower their NCAA record. The remaining two schools are Kentucky and LSU who have gone under 43 seconds this season.

4x400- This is where things will get interesting. Arkansas has the most depth ever in the 400. They broke the outdoor records indoors. They have yet to run at full strength this outdoor season and I believe at full strength that can run 3:19 or better! Texas will of course have a strong 4x400 relay along with Texas A&M.

Men

100- Terrence Jones of Texas Tech came into the indoor season late but did nothing but win. Jones has the fastest wind legal time in the nation having run 9.91. He is a big meet performer and I expect for that to show up here. Challenging him will be Udodi Onwuzurike of Stanford and Godson Oghenebrume of LSU. Although my prediction is Jones anyone of these men could potentially challenge for the title.

Onwuzurike is from my home state of Michigan and is the fastest sprinter in state history. He does not have the same schedule as a lot of other sprint programs, and I think has more in the tank to do something special. Oghenebrume has consistently improved throughout the season and has represented LSU so well.

200- Robert Gregory of Florida transferred in during the off season and as the season has gone on, he has clearly adjusted to their sprint training. Although wind-aided he has a season best of 19.60. He is a big part of Florida’s team title hopes and is their latest sprint star. Also, with a wind-aided 19.60 is Tarsis Orogot of Alabama. Orogot has had some mixed results this season, but I expect him to be ready this week.

Finally, there is Courtney Lindsey of Texas Tech. He has been a named mentioned here multiple times and it is great to see him healthy and rounding into shape at the right time. He is a big piece in Texas Tech’s team title hopes. All three are capable of winning the title but I think Gregory takes it and also keep an eye out for Onwuzurike who has run wind legal 19.91.

400- Ryan Willie of Florida is the latest 400 star for the Florida Gators. He ran an incredible race at the SEC Championships winning with a time of 44.27. He is the national leader and favorite to win. Chasing him will be indoor champion Elija Godwin of Georgia who has run 44.55 and Emmanuel Bynum of Tennessee who has run 44.58. Godwin is a big meet performer and Bynum has always proven to be capable.

This event is quite deep, there are a total of 12 runners who have ran sub 45 seconds in the field and potentially more will be added. Of all the sprints and hurdle events I think this field is the deepest and most competitive.

110 Hurdles- Perhaps the most open event of them all. There is no defending champion and the indoor champion at 60 hurdles, Giano Roberts of Clemson, is not the favorite here. The top performer this season was Devon Brooks of Tennessee formerly of Clemson. He unfortunately injured himself at the East Regional meet. This has left even more wide open. Darius Luff of Nebraska has shown to perhaps be the most technically sound hurdler and no surprise he is from Nebraska which has been known as a school that develops its athletes with strong technique. Also in the race will be Omotade Ojora of USC who is having an impressive season.

400 Hurdles- Ayden Owens-Delerme of Arkansas is primarily a decathlete. He has broken national records and competed on the world stage in the event. Recently he added the 400 hurdles to an event he can compete in. That’s a right a guy who did not start running this event until April of this year is the NCAA leader and one of the fastest in long time. Delerme leads the nation with a time of 48.26. With him only competing in the event three times in his life, all this season I think it’s possible that he lowers his time and wins the title.

Also in the race is Alabama junior Chris Robinson who has run 48.36 and his phenomenal season has been a bit overshadowed thanks to Delerme. Caleb Dean, who is a speedy hurdler, has run 48.39 and is one of Texas Tech’s big team title hope pieces. We may see a sub 48 second performance this weekend from one or all three. 

4x100- This is almost a two-team race. Both LSU and Florida have gone under 38 seconds this season. Florida lowering the school record from 37.94 to 37.93 and LSU with a new national record of 37.90. The Gators have lost their NCAA record and I expect for them to fight like hell to get it back. Texas Tech however have run 38.24 and are getting healthy at the right time. I think there is a great change for a new NCAA record here.

4x400- Florida was pushed at the SEC Championships and it took two 43 second legs but they got it done and went on to set the NCAA record with a time of 2:57.76. There are two other teams under 2:59, Georgia and Alabama. The latter of which took Florida to the line at the NCAA Championships. If Florida is to win this race it will take a new record and better performances out of their first two legs.

 

NEXT: My next post I will preview will be the distance events.