Gators and Razorbacks Champions of the Weekend
Shot By: Shawn Price, Arkansas Athletics
Jun. 5-8 the NCAA track and field championships were held in Eugene, OR. The historic site of Hayward field was used once again for athletes from division one schools across the nation to compete.University of Florida was able to make history as only the second men's program to three-peat in the national championships. While the University of Arkansas was crowned on the women’s side giving them a clean sweep this season between the indoor and outdoor championships.
Arkansas had themself a great weekend when it came to the 400m race. The team finished with 63 total points with 29 coming from the 400m event.
The field was led by senior Nickisha Pryce who posted a time of 48.89, a new collegiate and meet record. Which both only lasted a year and was set by another Arkansas athlete, Britton Wilson. Kaylyn Brown, Amber Anning and Rosey Effiong finished behind Pryce but all went sub-50 seconds in the event and three posted a personal best.
Even with a stellar performance in this event Arkansas entered the last event of championships with a six point deficit to Florida. It all came down to the 400m relay.
Arkansas was slated as the leader in the event going into the final but only results now would win them the trophy. At the starting line of lane six Anning shot off to lead her relay team which consisted of the same athletes that finished first through fourth in the open 400m. A few strides after the first handoff it was clear that Arkansas was going to take the crown, but how fast could they go?
The Razorbacks finished with a time of 3:17.96, they torched the track and competition finishing about six seconds before the next school. Those four set a collegiate and meet record, as well the time posted is sixth in world history.
Shot by: NCAA Photos, Florida Gators Website
On the other side of things, Florida’s men team was making history as well. Led by head coach Mike Holloway the gators were the first to three-peat since 2011 when Texas A&M completed theirs. Holloway has now won his seventh men’s outdoor title since 2012, the most by any coach during this span.
Unlike the Arkansas girls there wasn’t one event that the Gators were just able to dominate and get the majority of their points. The sprints were good to the team, they scored points in the open and relay events but also got additional help from their jumpers.
One thing that stayed true between both the men and women was that it came down to the last event. The Gators went into the event behind by five points to the University of Auburn, meaning they had to get third or better in this relay.
Shot by: Gabriella Whisler, Florida Gators Website
The time as the fourth leg crossed the finish line read 2:58.98 and a season best for the Gators. With a third place finish the team secured its three-peat, Auburn wasn’t slated for the 400m relay final.
Don’t be surprised to see a few collegiate athletes taking their chances at the Olympic Trials scheduled to take place at Hayward field Jun. 21.
