Defending NCAA outdoor champ Samuel Ogazi smashed collegiate record in men's 400-meter final,clocking 43.38 seconds on June 12 at NCAA track and field championships,Hayward Field. This stunning run broke Michael Norman's 2018 record of 43.61 seconds .
Ogazi couldn't believe time on jumbotron. "I feel amazing. Words can’t express how I feel right now," he said. His regional time of 43.82 felt easy, and he had a strong reaction to starter's gun. "It’s dream come true," he reflected,achieving a goal long in making .
Another standout,Jaiden Reid of LSU,set a collegiate record in men's 200 meters,finishing in 19.63 seconds . Reid's road wasn't easy, battling asthma-related chest pain during indoor season. He overcame to beat Israel Okon from Auburn and Trelee Banks of Indiana.
“Crazy,” Reid said. “You just have to thank God,without him I couldn’t have done this.”
In distance events,Habtom Samuel from New Mexico made history,winning men's 5,000 and 10,000 meters in single NCAA weekend. He took 5,000 title with 13:38.93,after earlier 10,000 win at 27:51.31. Samuel,10,000 champ in 2024,described 5,000 strategy as gradual pace increase after tough start.
Other winners included Ralford Mullings of Oklahoma, men's discus champ with 215 feet,11 inches throw,and Kimani Jack from Georgia,winning men's high jump at 7 feet,5¾ inches. Men's 4x100-meter relay saw Tennessee claim victory in season-best 37.98 seconds,despite chaotic race with only five finishers due to baton issues .
Selva Prabhu of Kansas State excelled in triple jump,marking 55 feet,6¼ inches,while Geoffrey Kirwa from Louisville took men's 3,000 steeplechase in 8:17.46. In men's 1,500 meters,Simeon Birnbaum from Oregon won with strong finish,clocking 3:36.05.
Kanyinsola Ajayi of Auburn claimed men's 100 meters in season-best 9.72 seconds,just missing a collegiate record due to wind. In men's 400 hurdles,Vance Nilsson of Florida surprised with personal-best 48.06 seconds win,as Kody Blackwood of Texas stumbled,finishing in 53.52 seconds.
Day wrapped with Georgia's 4x400 relay team capturing final title in collegiate-leading 2:57.93. Overall,Arkansas emerged men's team champ with 56 points,followed by Georgia with 49,Tennessee at 46,and LSU with 42. Oregon finished just off podium with 40 points…
