2023 is in its sunset phase, which means that 2024 is on the horizon. This year brought about some incredible performances on the track, in the field, as well as on the roads and cross country course at all levels of the sport.
The collegiate cross country and track and field season was simply incredible and one full of collegiate records and jaw-dropping performances that won’t soon be forgotten. Before we enter into a year and a new season in the sport, let’s take a look back at some of the best individual performers and teams from the 2023 season.
Julien Alfred finished off her career at the University of Texas in historic fashion. The talented sprinter won two national titles in the indoor track season (60m, 200m) and broke the collegiate record in the women’s 60m with her time of 6.94 seconds, which is the second fastest time ever recorded in the event. She also broke the collegiate indoor 200m record in the event, with her time of 22.01. In the outdoor track and field season, Alfred took home titles in the women’s 100m, 200m and was a member of the Longhorn’s national title winning 4x100m relay team. In addition to the success that she achieved on the track, Alfred went undefeated in all of her races in her last year of collegiate running.
There are many great teams in collegiate track and field, but arguably none were more dominant than the University of Arkansas, especially in the indoor season. The Razorbacks men’s and women’s team took home indoor national titles at the NCAATF Indoor National Championships this past season in impressive fashion. The Razorbacks used a balanced approach throughout the meet to secure indoor titles for the men’s and women’s teams.
The Arkansas men’s team relied on big performances in the field events, as well as in the multi-events and relays to score 60 points, which was enough to secure the team title. Ayden Owens-Delerme (8 points) and Yariel Soto-Torrado (3 points) secured a combined 11 points in the men’s heptathlon, while Carey McLeod scored a combined 13 points in the men’s long jump (10 points) and the men’s triple jump (3 points) to help the Razorbacks in the meet. Arkansas also received big contributions from Jaydon Hibbert, Wayne Pinnock and the men’s 4x400m.
The Arkansas women’s sprints were must-see-TV at the Indoor Championships. The Razorbacks women’s 400m stole the show at the Indoor Championships, with three Razorbacks finishing in the top 6. Britton Wilson won the title, while Rosey Effiong and Amber Anning finished fourth and sixth, respectively. Ackera Nugent secured 10 points for the Razorbacks in the women’s 60m hurdles, winning the event in impressive fashion, while Amanda Fassold took home the win and 10 points in the women’s pole vault. Lauren Gregory, as well as the Arkansas 4x400m relay and DMR contributed big points for the Razorbacks as well.
In this episode of Track Talk, we dive into Lactic Acid’s best collegiate performances from last season.
