We're days away from the 2024 DI outdoor men's track and field championships. There's no better time than now for my championship predictions, event by event. Let's dive in.
4x100 relay — Prediction: LSU
No team has separated itself in the 4x1 all year, which is exactly what I think will happen in Eugene. This race will be close after the final two legs and after the final curve. I think LSU will hand off the baton to anchor Godson Oghenbrume close enough to the lead that he’ll be able to finish the job.
CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATES: Live updates of the 2024 NCAA DI outdoor track and field championships
4x400 relay — Prediction: Alabama
Alabama has the best four individual runners of any 4x400 meter team, based on performances this year. While Arkansas has the anchor leg I trust the most in a 4x4 and Florida under the tutelage of coach Mike Holloway can’t be counted out, I still think Alabama’s collection of talent gets the Crimson Tide the win.
100 meters — Prediction: Favour Ashe, Auburn
Predicting the men’s 100 meters is always a tough call, but I’ll go with Favour Ashe. A sub-10 second finish will be needed to win the final, and I think Ashe will run sub-10.
110 hurdles — Prediction: Ja’Kobe Tharp, Auburn
Like the title of viral rapper ian’s hit song "Figure It Out," Auburn freshman Ja’Kobe Tharp has done just that. While Tharp won’t run through somebody like Marshawn Lynch, he’s running through the 110 hurdles looking more and more comfortable with the race. Tharp’s continued progression makes him the pick here
200 meters — Prediction: Wanya McCoy, Florida
Wanya McCoy is the most versatile sprinter in the country. He has the speed to make him a legit threat to make the 100-meter final and if he would’ve run the 400 meters at nationals, I think he could’ve made the final there too. That speed and strength mean McCoy can carry his top speed for a while, which I think he’ll do to win the 200-meter title.
400 meters — Prediction: Christopher Morales Williams, Georgia
I can’t pick against Christopher Morales Williams here. He looks like the only 400-meter sprinter that can break 43 seconds this year.
400 hurdles — Prediction: Caleb Dean, Texas Tech
At SECs and East Regionals, all eyes were on Chris Robinson (Alabama) vs. Clement Ducos (Tennessee) matchup in the 400-meter hurdles. I love the rivalry that is becoming established between the two, and I think it's good for the sport. However, I think Caleb Dean could ruin the party between the duo. Dean’s legs should be fresh with his first 400 hurdles race not coming until May.
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800 meters — Prediction: Sam Whitmarsh, Texas A&M
Don’t let Sam Whitmarsh’s pair of 1:47 finishes at West Regionals fool you, he still should be the favorite in the 800 meters entering Eugene. Whitmarsh ran a top-10 all-time mark of 1:44.46 in March and then with the high stakes of the SEC championships ran 1:45.27. Whitmarsh should be able to hit 1:45 again to win this title
1500 meters — Prediction: Parvej Khan, Florida
Yes, I know Parvej Khan is a freshman, but I think the 1500 meters will come down to the final lap. Given the impressive kicks Khan has shown in the final 200 meters of races, I think the rookie can emerge from the pack with the win.
3000 meter steeplechase — Prediction: Nathan Mountain, Virginia
Nathan Mountain is the most likely steeplechaser to break 8:30, getting him the prediction here.
AWARDS: The 2024 Bowerman Watch List for men's and women's NCAA track and field
5000 meters — Prediction: Nico Young, Northern Arizona
The field for the 5000 meters is loaded and I could see over five different athletes potentially winning this race. From that, Nico Young is my prediction because he's been most consistent as a distance runner this year.
10,000 meters — Prediction: Habtom Samuel, New Mexico
Habtom Samuel ran the second-fastest 10K in collegiate history to open his outdoor season, only behind Nico Young in the same race. Young isn’t running the 10K at nationals, so Samuel is the obvious choice here.
Decathlon — Prediction: Leo Neugebauer, Texas
Leo Neugebauer hasn’t competed in a decathlon since March, and that would be a cause for concern if he was missing in action all that time. However, Neugebauer has instead been killing his side quest, qualifying for nationals in the discus. The saying goes, “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready,” and I think Neugebauer has stayed and is ready to defend his decathlon title.
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Hammer — Prediction: Rowan Hamilton, California
Which hammer thrower is most likely to hit 75 meters? That would be Cal’s Rowan Hamilton. That’s why he’s the pick here
Shot put — Prediction: Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan, Ole Miss
Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan hasn’t thrown below 20 meters in the shot put all year. He’s also the indoor champion in the event. I think Robinson will complete the season sweep and earn a spot as a Bowerman semifinalist.
Discus — Prediction: Francois Prinsloo, South Alabama
After former NCAA champion Claudio Romero (LSU) didn’t make it out of regionals, the discus throw competition is wide open. The next best bet is South Alabama’s Francois Prinsloo, the only other athlete to surpass 67 meters this year. He’s also cleared 62 meters on 11 throws this year so the bar is high for his competition.
🧹: Here are the DI track and field indoor champions looking for a season sweep in 2024
Javelin — Prediction: Marc Minichello, Georgia
This one was a toss-up between Baylor’s Chinecherem Prosper Nnamdi and Georgia’s Marc Minichello, but I went with 2022’s champion because he’s won on the biggest stage before.
Pole vault — Prediction: Keaton Daniel, Kentucky
Keaton Daniel has finished as the top collegian at every meet he’s recorded a height at this calendar year. I don’t see that changing at Hayward Field.
Long jump — Prediction: Wayne Pinnock, Arkansas
Wayne Pinnock won his first NCAA title since a sweep in 2022 at this year’s indoor championships, and I think Pinnock matches his feat from two years ago by bringing the broom out again. Pinnock knows how to perform on the biggest stage and can clear eight meters with ease.
Triple jump — Prediction: Jeremiah Davis, Florida State
Jeremiah Davis jumped 16.71 meters on his first triple jump of the outdoor season, which won him the ACC championship. Davis has only attempted five triple jumps all season, which should give 2023’s outdoor triple jump third-place finisher the fresh legs to finish first in 2024.
High jump — Prediction: Romaine Beckford, Arkansas
Romaine Beckford has won the last three NCAA high jump titles across the indoor and outdoor seasons, dating back to 2023. While he hasn’t drastically separated himself from a height clearance perspective, Beckford’s consistency sets him apart from the field.
: Arkansas, Texas Tech win 2024 indoor titles | Florida, Arkansas win 2024 outdoor titles | How the outdoor championships work
💥HISTORY: Programs with the most titles | Men's champ history | Women's champ history | Bowerman history
🧠 WHAT TO KNOW: Wind and scoring explained | Greatest venues | Best uniforms | The difference between indoor and outdoor seasons
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions.
