EUGENE, Ore. — Day 1 of the 2017 NCAA track and field championships has concluded at Hayward Field. Six individual athletes were crowned champions on Wednesday.
Here are some quick notes on the winners and Wednesday’s action. Make sure to follow along here for updates and highlights from Eugene.
Hammer time
Cornell’s Rudy Winkler was the first title winner of Wednesday's 2017 NCAA championships when he threw 243 feet, 2 inches in his final attempt for the win. Behind Winkler was Alexander Young from Southeast Louisiana (241-8) and Cleb Dudarev from Kansas (240-11).
First Champion of ...
— NCAA Track & Field (@NCAATrackField)
With a heave of 243-2, Rudy Winkler wins his first National Championship!
Coleman doesn’t disappoint
Christian Coleman set the American collegiate record in 100-meter dash, finishing in 9.82 seconds. Ngonidzashe Makusha held the record prior, 9.89, when he raced in 2011 for Florida State.
Coleman said he thinks the sky is the limit for him in Friday's finals. He added that he is looking forward to racing against his fellow competitors in the finals.
Later in the day, Coleman qualified for the 200, with the third fastest score of the day in 20.21.
RECORD DESTROYED!!!
— NCAA Track & Field (@NCAATrackField)
CHRISTIAN COLEMAN with a 9.82 in the men's 100m Semis.
10K notes
Tulsa’s Marc Scott took home the 10k title, finishing the race in 29:01.54. The win marked the first time since 2013 that someone not named Edward Cheserek took the top step of the podium. Cheserek, who didn’t compete in the NCAA regionals due to injury, had won the race the last three years in a row.
“It’s a shame for him to go out the way he did, but it opened the door for me so I can’t really complain,” Scott said. “The news (of Cheserek’s injury) was definitely surprising at the time.”
10K NATIONAL TITLE FOR MARC SCOTT!
— TulsaHurricane (@TulsaHurricane)
4X400 world leading record
ICYMI, check out the video below.
Didn't see the Leading 4x400?
— NCAA Track & Field (@NCAATrackField)
We've got you covered.
Pole Vault
Matthew Ludwig of Akron won the pole vault title, with Shawn Barber from Akron winning the same title in 2015.
Matt Ludwig flashing his Z's after becoming NCAA Champion in the men's pole vault for ninth NCAA title in program history
— Akron Zips Track/CC (@ZipsTFCC)
After the results, Ludwig said he’s seen tangible progress in the growth of Akron track and field at the NCAA championships.
“Akron track is on the rise,” Ludwig said.
Florida goes 1,2 in long jump
KeAndre Bates won the long jump (8.05m (26-5)), and was followed by his teammate Grant Holloway (8.00m (26-3).
Bates spoke about how important it was for him to show up for the team and was happy he could come through.
Shot put back-to-back
UVA’s Filip Mihaljevic won the shot put title and talked about how it was he last throw of his career so he wanted to go out with a good throw. He talked about how he overcame his injury from January, so it was important for him to take the title today
When you win your 2nd straight !
— NCAA Track & Field (@NCAATrackField)
Throwing 21.30m (69-10¾) he was his second straight title.
Who is leading after Day 1
After six events, Texas A&M is first with 21.5 points followed by Virginia (20), Florida (18) and Akron (15). Finals begin on Friday, June 9.
