EUGENE, Ore. — The USC men’s track and field team completed a rare double championship on Friday, with an assist from South Florida.

South Florida ran a brilliant 4×400-meter relay to close the NCAA men’s outdoor track and field championships, leaving USC and Texas A&M tied for the team title.

The Trojans, who also won the indoor title earlier this year, hadn’t won an outdoor title in 49 years. USC and Texas A&M both finished with 41 points on Friday, one ahead of Arkansas, with the Trojans becoming just the third team ever to win the indoor and outdoor national championships in the same year.

The team result came after a late surge by the USF anchor to edge Texas A&M in the final race, winning in 3 minutes, 42 seconds. Arkansas was third with the Trojans a disappointing eighth to earn just one team point. The Aggies earned eight points in the relay – a win would have been worth 10 points – and the Razorbacks got six.

Arkansas protested after the race that a USF runner hindered a Razorback, but the protest was denied. If successful, Texas A&M would have won the title and Arkansas and USC would have tied for second.

USC, which scored all of its points in seven events on Friday, won its first outdoor track and field title since 1976 and now has 27 outdoor titles, more than double the next program. USC also became the first Big Ten program to win the outdoor team title since Minnesota in 1948.

The Trojans won the team title without winning any individual events, just like they did for the indoor title earlier this year. The indoor meet also required waiting for the results of an unsuccessful Arkansas protest in the 4×400 relay before USC could celebrate.

“It is just an awesome feeling for the program, the University, the USC community, all of our fans and these student-athletes. They worked their butts off,” USC director of track & field Quincy Watts said. “I am just so proud of them.”

The Trojans’ march to the title began with sophomore Racquil Broderick breaking his school discus record with a throw of 207 feet, 8 inches to place fourth, securing USC’s first five points of the two-day meet. Broderick, who placed second as a freshman, earned first-team All-America honors for the second time.

The 4×100 relay team of senior Travis Williams, junior Max Thomas, graduate transfer Taylor Banks and junior transfer Garrett Kaalund placed second with a time of 38.46 seconds. The second-fastest time in program history was worth another eight points in the team competition.

Thomas then used a strong finish to place second in the 100 with a time of 10.10 (+0.7), out-leaning the third-place finisher by 0.001 seconds. Thomas gave USC its best finish in the event since Andre DeGrasse won the NCAA title in 2015.

Junior William Jones took second in the 400 with a time of 45.53 for another eight points that gave USC a meet best 29 points after 14 of the 21 events. Jones’ effort was the best finish by a Trojan since Michael Norman won the title in 2018 in a record-setting 43.61.

Senior Johnny Brackins Jr. placed seventh in the 400 hurdles with a time of 50.15 for two more points. After 18 events, USC had 31 points and was two behind Texas A&M for the lead.

Kaalund then placed third in the 200 at 19.96 and Thomas took sixth at 20.23, adding nine points that moved the Trojans into first place with 40 points, five ahead of Auburn, six ahead of Arkansas and seven ahead of the Aggies with the 5,000 and the 4×400 relay remaining.

Kaalund’s finish was USC’s best showing in the 200 since DeGrasse won the title in 2015.

USC ran a 4×400 team of junior Jacob Andrews, Thomas, junior Jaelen Knox and Jones, and they did just enough to secure a share of the team title, finishing eighth with a time of 3:03.18 despite a couple of balky exchanges.

“It is a journey and throughout the journey you are going to have hurdles and adversity,” Watts said. “We had some adversity when one of our top runners (Kaalund) was having some issues with his hamstring (leaving him unavailable for the 4×400). I gathered everybody that was here with the men’s team and we surrounded Garrett while he was on the training table. We let him know we were going to win the team title for him. We wanted to look him in the eye and let him know we had his back. Garrett has been there for us all year. Just a tremendous team with tremendous character as human beings.”

In other notable performances for USC, graduate transfer Jaren Holmes placed 11th in the triple jump with a top mark of 51-8¼ (+0.6), good enough for second-team All-America honors in the event.

Junior Elias Gerald placed 12th in the high jump with a best clearance of 7-0½, also earning second-team All-America honors.

The women’s title will be decided Saturday at Hayward Field on the Oregon campus.

Sam Whitmarsh of Texas A&M, runner-up a year ago, beat indoor champion Matthew Erickson of Oregon to capture the 800 in 1:45.86, the second-fastest in school history.

Jordan Anthony of Arkansas, the NCAA champion in the indoor 60, added an outdoor title, winning the 100 in 10.07 from Lane 9.

Ja’Kobe Tharp, who won the 60 hurdles at the indoor championships for Auburn, added the 110 hurdles title to his resume with a personal-best time of 13.05. Tharp ran the fifth-fastest time in NCAA history, only 0.07 off of Grant Holloway’s record.

Auburn also won the 400 relay in a time of 38.33.

Samujel Ogazi of Alabama raced to a dominant win in the 400 with a time of 44.84, more than six-tenths faster than the runner-up. The sophomore, who made the Olympic final in Paris, became the first Nigerian athlete to win the 400 NCAA title in 26 years.

James Corrigan of BYU, a 2024 Olympian, won the 3,000 steeplechase in 8:16.41, grabbing the lead at the last water jump. His time is the fourth fastest in college history.

Nathan Green of Washington, the 2023 champion, won the 1,500 meters in 3:47.26 with the top 11 finishing within 0.68 of Green.

Brian Masau on Oklahoma State added the outdoor title in the 5,000 to the indoor title he won earlier this year, finishing in 13:20.59.

Ezekiel Nathaniel of Baylor lowered his Nigerian record to 47.49 in the 400 hurdles, the second-fastest time in the world this year.

Carli Makarawu of Kentucky took the 400 in 19.84 seconds, a Zimbabwe national record, edging countryman Makanakaishe Charamba of Auburn, who ran 19.92.

Oklahoma’s Ralford Mullings, who returned to the championship for the second time in his career, took the discus title by launching a meet-record and person-best 227 feet, 4 inches.

Brandon Green Jr. and Floyd Whitaker gave Oklahoma a 1-2 finish in the triple jump with Green soaring 55-2 to win by more than a foot. Green led from the first jump and had it wrapped up after five rounds and then had his best leap to end it.

Arvesta Troupe of Mississippi cleared 7-5¼ to win the high jump.

The inaugural Better Club Games, a multi-sport event, is set to take place at The Sands Centre in Carlisle this September.

Organised by GLL, the charitable social enterprise that operates Better leisure centres in Cumbria, the event is being delivered in partnership with Cumberland Council, Age UK, Sellafield, and Active Cumbria.

Chloe Nixon, community sports manager at The Sands Centre, said: “This is a fantastic initiative designed to keep our beloved seniors active, foster new friendships, and improve their social, mental and physical wellbeing.

“This event allows us to celebrate the sporting talent amongst our older members who regularly attend our wide range of tailored sessions, while demonstrating the benefits that regular exercise and an active lifestyle can bring.

“It will be a race to the finish as we pit contestants from Cumberland against each other in a diverse range of competitive activities.”

Participants from 11 Better leisure centres across the region will compete in activities including badminton, pickleball, water polo, carpet bowls, rowing, table tennis, and a danceathon.

The day will end with an awards ceremony honouring winners in each discipline.

Veteran members who have taken part in senior sessions since they launched in 2023 have shared their enthusiasm for the event.

John Lightowler said: “Joining the Better Senior sessions has been a game-changer, literally.

“The idea of an inter-centre competition is an inspiration.

“Pickleball, table tennis, and water polo, amongst other activities, have given me a reason to get out of the house and just have a laugh without realising you are exercising and keeping the joints moving.

“Meeting like-minded people from other areas of the county is a great idea and there is nothing wrong with friendly rivalry.

“More than just sports, these activities have given me a wonderful community of friends who cheer each other on.

“Staying active has never been this fun.”

Julie Farrey said: “I am looking forward to the club games as it allows us to meet others who are interested in sport in older age.

“We have such fun together enjoying various activities.

“We have new members joining all the time with different abilities.

“We have all made great friendships that would not have happened if it was not for our club.

“To share this with others and to get to know more people and exchange stories will be great.

“It’s all about fun, laughter, and the ability to enjoy exercise with good friends.”

Councillor Anne Quilter, executive member for vibrant and healthy places at Cumberland Council, said the project highlights the value of partnership working.

Cllr Quilter said: “This is set to be a great event and one that demonstrates all our partners’ commitment to health and wellbeing.

“We want to provide inclusive leisure facilities for all ages and abilities – keeping Cumberland on the move.

“Best of luck to all the competitors.”

The Better Club Games is part of a nationwide programme developed by GLL to fill the gap in large-scale sporting events for older adults.

The initiative aims to promote ‘active ageing’ and highlight the capabilities of older people through sport.

Better leisure centres across Cumbria offer weekly senior sessions, including zumba, chair yoga, walking football, netball, aqua aerobics, and social gatherings.

Discounted membership is available for anyone aged 66 and over, providing access to facilities and instructor-led classes.

Earlier this year, The Sands Centre was named a finalist in the Cumbria Sports Awards for its senior activity programmes.

EUGENE, Ore. — Senior transfer Eddie Kurjak rode the wave of two opening attempt clearances to collect expected First Team All-American honors in the high jump on the third day of the NCAA Outdoor Championships Friday.
 
Kurjak came in with the rest of the field at 2.10 meters/6 foot, 10 ¾ inches and soared over the bar at that height and at 2.15m/7-0.50 on his first try to tie for eighth place.  This performance gave the Bulldogs a scoring All-American in the event for the second year in a row after teammate Riyon Rankin was seventh in 2024.
 
Kurjak, a Longmont, Colo., native, transferred to Georgia from NCAA Division II Colorado Mesa University where he was the 2024 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference high jump champion.  Kurjak hit the 7-foot mark for the first time this season with a 2.18m/7-1.75 clearance at the NCAA East Prelims, locking in his spot to Eugene.
 
Meet Schedule: Other than the decathlon running Wednesday-Thursday and the heptathlon going Friday-Saturday, the meet is set up to be a men’s competition on Wednesday and Friday and a women’s competition on Thursday and Saturday.
 
Final Men’s Team Scores: Georgia finished 45^th with 6.33 points.  Texas A&M and USC tied for the national championship with 41 points apiece and Arkansas (40), Auburn (35) and New Mexico (31) rounded out the top five.
 
Current Women’s Team Scores: The Georgia women have the lead with 26 points while Illinois (16.5), Washington (16), Louisville (15), Colorado State (10), Missouri (10) and New Mexico (10) make up the rest of the top five.
 
Wednesday/Thursday Highlights: During the women’s first day of action on Thursday, graduate transfer Stephanie Ratcliffe won her second career hammer throw title and became the first NCAA representative to accomplish the feat at two separate schools and in non-consecutive years.  Freshman Manuela Rotundo and senior Lianna Davidson finished second and fourth in the javelin to give Georgia its first pair of scorers in the event since two Bulldogs were in the top eight in 2005.  Finally, senior Kelsie Murrell-Ross steadily improved during her series to finish sixth in the shot put, becoming the first to earn scoring All-America honors in the event for UGA since 2000.
 
On Wednesday, senior transfer Moustafa Alsherif finished fourth in the javelin to give the Bulldog men a scorer in the event for the fourth straight year.  Also, freshman Jayden Keys complemented his Southeastern Conference long jump title with an eighth-place finish in the event to score for the men.
 
Qualifiers For Saturday: Georgia also had a quartet of qualifiers Thursday for the women’s finals arriving on Saturday.  Juniors Aaliyah Butler and Dejanea Oakley (400m), Butler, Oakley, sophomore Sydney Harris and freshman Michelle Smith (4x400m relay) and Smith (400m hurdles) all punched their ticket on the meet’s second day.
 
When Do The Bulldogs Start Day 4: Senior Elena Kulichenko, who is the defending champion in the high jump, competes in her featured event on Saturday at 8:30 p.m.  The two top qualifiers from the 400m semifinal round, Butler and Oakley, will race in the final at 10:02 p.m. to start the action on the track on the meet’s final day.
 
Where To Catch The NCAAs: ESPN has exclusive rights to broadcast the meet and will feature the Nationals on ESPN2 this week:
Saturday: 6-9 p.m., ESPN2
 
Live Results: To check out live results throughout the four-day season finale, please check: https://gado.gs/da0
 
The Lowdown: Rankin was the Bulldogs’ other high jumper in the field.  Rankin, a sophomore from Brunswick, Ga., moved into the national lead with a 2.29m/7-6 clearance to win the SEC crown a month ago. However, he was slowed by an injury as the season progressed.  Rankin battled through his injury and managed a first attempt clearance at 2.10m/6-10.75 to tie for 16^th on Friday.
 
How To Keep Up With The Dogs: Results and recaps from the NCAA Outdoor Championships will be found at georgiadogs.com.  News and updates from Georgia’s track and field and cross country teams are always located on X/Instagram at @UGATrack.
 
Bulldog Day 1 Scorers
Name                                     Event                          Mark/Time – Place
Moustafa Alsherif                 M. Javelin                  76.69m/251-7 – 4^th
Jayden Keys                         M. Long Jump           7.80m/25-7.25 – 8^th
Bulldog Day 2 Scorers
Stephanie Ratcliffe              W. Hammer Throw  *71.37m/234-2 – 1^st
Manuela Rotundo                W. Javelin                  60.35m/198-0 – 2^nd
Lianna Davidson                  W. Javelin                  59.03m/193-8
Kelsie Murrell-Ross             W. Shot Put               17.80m/58-4.75
*national leading mark
Bulldog Day 3 Scorers
Eddie Kurjak                         M. High Jump           2.15m/7-0.50 – T-8^th
 
Bulldog Day 2 Qualifiers
Name                                                 Event                          Mark/Time – Place
Aaliyah Butler                                   W. 400m                    50.16 – 1^st
Dejanea Oakely                               W. 400m                    ^50.18 – 2^nd
Smiith, Butler, Harris, Oakley          W. 4x400m Relay    3:26.89 – 2^nd
Michelle Smith                                  W. 400mH                 55.65 – 3^rd
^personal best mark
 

Sanchez signs with NMJC track and field

PETER STEIN/NEWS-SUN

Alejandra Sanchez thought she’d try something new. She didn’t realize it would be something that would turn into a college athletic career.

Sanchez was a Hobbs High junior in the spring of 2024 when track & field first beckoned. She had been a softball player, had played some basketball and run cross country, but had never ventured into the world of javelin throwing before giving it a whirl late in the ’24 season.

Sanchez, though, was a natural. She took to javelin rather easily during her few competitions as a junior. And as a senior this past spring, Sanchez took off. She didn’t just hold her own as a javelin thrower, she broke the school record, then broke her own record, then broke it again.

New Mexico Junior College took notice. And Sanchez, who graduated Hobbs High last month, is now on her way to junior college track & field, having signed her letter of intent to throw the javelin for NMJC’s nationally-renowned program.

“Super excited, super excited to be here,” Sanchez said during last week’s signing ceremony at the Hobbs High School student union building. “Super excited to be able to commit to this team and to the school.”

NMJC seemed a perfect place for Sanchez to move her career to the next level.

“The good fit was staying close to my family,” she said. “And the (NMJC) teammates, and the coaches also fit me as well, great coaches.”

“Her future is very bright,” Hobbs javelin coach Selena Ornelas said at the signing. “She’s going to go and do good things at the next level. She’s just scratched the surface. She’s still going to learn what her body can and can’t do.”

What it can do is fling that javelin. Entering the 2025 season, Hallie Wilson held the Hobbs school record of 121 feet, 4.5 inches. Sanchez took that down this season during a meet at Eastern New Mexico University with her throw of 124 feet, 9 inches.

Later in the season, Sanchez established a new javelin mark with her throw of 125 feet, 11 inches during a meet at Albuquerque Academy.

Then on May 2 during the Ross Black Relays at Lovington High School, Sanchez broke her own record yet again, this time with a throw of 127 feet, 1 inch.
“And this was the only full season she got to compete,” Ornelas said. “She’s going to explode at NMJC; I’m excited to see her explode.”

Though javelin was new for Sanchez last year, it wasn’t a totally unfamiliar feel.

“It goes back to my roots from softball,” she said, “it goes back to what I learned throwing the softball.”

Ornelas saw potential for a sport crossover.

“My coach told me that she could get me somewhere with throwing the javelin,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez says she was eventually approached by a member of the NMJC track & field program who informed the then-Hobbs senior that the Thunderbirds’ coaching staff was interested in bringing her to the next level. Sanchez was asked if she was interested.

“And I was like, ‘Oh yeah, of course,’” Sanchez recalled.

Sanchez did go to NMJC and had a conversation. Soon she was a junior college javelin thrower-to-be.

But Sanchez knows that stepping up to face some of the nation’s fiercest junior college opponents won’t be easy.

“I think it’s going to be pretty good competition,” she said. “I’ve just got to go out there, do my best, work hard for it.”

The New Mexico Junior College women’s track & field program is first-rate, having won consecutive national championships in 2023 and ’24 – and five of the last eight titles – and placed third nationally this year. So the pressure is on for Sanchez to adjust to that elite level.

“I think that’s another thing that’ll push me to want more,” she said, “and to compete better and harder.”

“She’s a competitor,” Ornelas said, “and that program is about competing at a high level. But I think she’s going to succeed.”

WACO, Texas (KXXV) — The UIL met on Wednesday to make several changes to local sports, including making water polo a sport.

Watch full story here:

Midway High School reacts to Water Polo becoming UIL sport

“I was super excited because now we finally get the recognition that I think we deserve because we work really hard at our sport,” senior Avery Tigelaar said.

“A lot of people that in our team that only do water polo, I think they’re gonna be really excited to be able to have it here,” senior Anne Flores said.

Midway High School already has a water polo team which makes trips to Round Rock to compete and grow.

“I assume that we’ll probably be with the Round Rock schools again, which is fantastic, but I hope in the future maybe we can start having more of a local district with some of the area schools,” head coach Dan Marlin said.

“I think that us being such a tight knit team and working really hard has inspired other schools, and I think that’s great and that they should definitely try because it is such a fun sport,” Tigelaar said.

With the sport now entering UIL, the growth of water polo is already starting.

“I know that there were a lot of area coaches that I’ve talked to kind of Killeen, Belton and some other places that they were waiting until it got officially adopted before they started looking into starting a water polo program,” Marlin said.

“I feel like more people will join, which is a good thing, and there’s going to be more competition, but it’s also made me happier and very excited for the new season because all my team and stuff, we will get to be like doing it together, especially for my last year,” Flores said.

The water polo season begins on August 1 for Midway.

Follow Shahji on social media!

---