Category: Track And Field

LSU track and field’s Brianna Lyston, Matthew Sophia earn SEC weekly honors

Lyston and Sophia were named Freshmen of the Week by the league.

Editor’s Note: The following is an official press release courtesy of LSU’s athletic’s department.

BATON ROUGE, La. – The conference office announced that both Brianna Lyston and Matthew Sophia have been named SEC Freshman of the Week on Tuesday afternoon. Combined, this is the fourth and fifth weekly honor from the conference for the Tigers this season.

Lyston ran the fifth fastest 60-meter time in the nation this week at 7.30 seconds in LSU Twilight’s final. She finished in second in both the prelims and finals behind her teammate junior Favour Ofili. Her final time shaved .09 seconds off of her 7.39 second time from the prelims. This is Lyston’s first weekly honor from the SEC.

Sophia placed first in the 60-meter hurdles’ prelims and finals at the LSU Twilight. The freshman ran a time of 7.89 seconds in the prelims and a time of 7.93 seconds in the finals. He currently ranks tied for ninth in the SEC with a 7.75 (converted from 7.73) earlier this season at the Red Raider Open. This is Sophia’s first weekly honor from the SEC.

LSU SEC Athletes of the Week – Indoors

Favour Ofili – Women’s Runner of the Week (February 7)

Favour Ofili – Co-Women’s Runner of the Week (February 14)

Michaela Rose – Co-Women’s Runner of the Week (February 14)

Brianna Lyston – Women’s Freshman of the Week (February 21)

Matthew Sophia – Men’s Freshman of the Week (February 21)

The Santa Clara men’s cross country team photos are so bizarre, and we can’t stop looking

These headshots are incredible.

Normally, the headshots on a team website are nothing more than another identifier for the athletes on that team. Something to go along with the typical height, weight, hometown info to put a face with the name.

What it isn’t normally is a way for a team show its personality. At least not before the Santa Clara University men’s cross country and track and field team had a say. The team uploaded its 2022-23 roster to the athletics website presumably sometime before the start of the season in early September, and the headshots accompanying each athlete are incredible.

Just look at these.

Between the unsure and teethy smiles of the Dupree brothers (I assume they’re brothers) to the half mustache of EJ Odocayen Cruz to the mutton on Spencer Fischer and all the confused smiles and mustaches in between, there’s something new to find every time you scroll through the roster.

Even funnier, I’m not sure the bit is new. It’s just growing. A look back at last year’s roster shows a few personalities shining through, though it’s clearly taken on a life of its own this season.

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Sydney McLaughlin sets another world record in the 400m hurdles at the world championships

Sydney McLaughlin continues to one-up herself.

It’s been a memorable month of July for the U.S. at the World Athletics Championships.

Last week, Allyson Felix earned a bronze medal in her final world championships race. This week, Sydney McLaughlin set a world record in the 400 hurdles.

Sydney McLaughlin and a world record? You’ve heard this before. Actually, you’ve heard it a number of times over the past year.

Her 50.68 finish on Friday broke her previous world record of 51.41 set at the 2022 U.S. Championships, which had broken her record of 51.46 at the Tokyo Olympics, and 51.90 at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials.

And with Friday’s record-setting run, McLaughlin made it look easy. Watch as she ran away from the field without a single competitor even close.

McLaughlin’s recent string of record-breaking performances comes on the heels of a 400m record that Yuliya Penchonkina (Russia) had stood for 16 years.

At just 22 years of age, it’s wild to think of how many more times McLaughlin could outdo herself in the years to come.

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Reactions to Devon Allen’s controversial DQ from 110m hurdle final at WCH Oregon22

Devon Allen got DQ’d from the 110m hurdles final over a controversial ruling. Fans of the Ducks, the Eagles, and T&F at large didn’t hold back afterward.

If you haven’t seen it by now, go take a look at what happened to former Oregon Duck legend Devon Allen on Sunday night in the 110m hurdles final at the World Track and Field Championship in Eugene.

Long story short, he was disqualified before the race even started for an “apparent” false start. I say “apparent” in quotes because to the naked eye, you would never guess that Allen left early, but according to the clock, he reacted .001 seconds before legally allowed…

Talk about brutal.

So instead of racing in the final and trying to get his first medal at a world event, Allen — who holds the fastest time run this year and the third-fastest 110m hurdle time in the history of the sport — had to be escorted from the track and watch from the sidelines.

It’s safe to say that there were some unhappy people on social media afterward. Here are some of the best reactions:

WATCH: Devon Allen disqualified from 110m hurdle final after false start

An absolute heartbreaker. Devon Allen was DQ’d from the 110m hurdles final after a controversial false start ruling.

What was supposed to be a magical night for former Oregon Duck turned into a nightmare in a matter of seconds.

If we’re being honest, it was a matter of milliseconds.

Devon Allen was disqualified from the men’s 110m hurdle final on Sunday night after false-starting by .001 seconds. Allen attempted to run under protest, but was escorted off the track.

USA’s Grant Holloway won the final in a time of 13.03.

Allen, who holds the fastest time in the world this season, and the third fastest time in history, was considered one of the favorites to win the event. In the end, he didn’t even get to try.

Earlier in the night, Allen sped through his semifinal heat of the hurdles, finishing in second place with a time of 13.09.

Allyson Felix wins bronze medal in final world championships race

A round of applause for Allyson Felix.

Track and field legend Allyson Felix ran her last competitive race Friday night at the Track and Field World Championships. And in typical Allison Felix fashion, she made sure it was a medal-earning effort.

The 36-year-old Los Angeles native took the baton from teammate Elija Godwin during the mixed 4×400-meter relay in Eugene and ran a solid second leg before passing the baton to Vernon Norwood. Norwood then ran a lap and passed it to Kennedy Simon, who finished the race in third place, earning the U.S. a Bronze medal.

But on this Friday night, the result wasn’t so much about the team as it was Felix. The Bronze medal was the cherry on top and a fitting close to one of the greatest track and field world championships careers ever.

After Felix gave the world championships one last lap, she took a moment to soak it all in.

She’ll finish with 19 World Championships and 11 Olympic medals, leaving as the most decorated American track athlete in Olympic history.

Allyson Felix, ladies and gentlemen.

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Oregon names Jerry Schumacher new track and cross country coach

Oregon has announced the hiring of Jerry Schumacher to lead its track and field and cross country programs.

Oregon has announced that it has hired Jerry Schumacher as the Ducks’ head coach of their track and field and cross country programs.

Schumacher has spent the past 15 years at the helm of the Nike Bowerman Track Club and established himself as one of the premier distance coaches in the world. According to Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens, the hire was a virtual no-brainer.

“Jerry Schumacher is a world-class track and field leader with a unique ability to build a dynamic team atmosphere to support a first-class experience for the athletes,” said Mullens in a press release. “He understands the modern athlete, the importance of building connections and developing young people to their fullest potential. His commitment to the athlete through his tireless work ethic is well known and we are excited that his leadership and passion will add to the tremendous legacy of the Oregon track and field and cross country programs.”

This is not Schumacher’s first job in the college ranks. Not even close. He led the University of Wisconsin men’s distance and cross country program between 1998-2008. During his time in Madison, the Badgers won two NCAA team titles—2005 cross country, 2007 indoor—and he was named the 2005 National Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year.

Schumacher replaces Robert Johnson, who coached the Ducks for seven seasons. But Oregon decided to not retain Johnson and decided to go in a different direction.

Ohio State names Rosalind Joseph director of men’s and women’s track and field and cross country

It didn’t take long to name a former Buckeye as the new leader of the track and field program. #GoBucks

Just one day after announcing the retirement of the legendary Karen Dennis, Ohio State has a new leader of the track and field program. On Tuesday, the university named Rosalind Joseph the new director of men’s and women’s track and field and cross country.

Joseph, an alum of Ohio State, returns to Columbus following a four-year run at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where she served as Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. While there, the Saluki women’s teams captured four runner-up finishes at the Missouri Valley Conference indoor and outdoor track and field championships while the men finished as high as third. A total of 10 Salukis earned All-America honors, seven women and three men.

“I am thrilled to introduce Rosalind Joseph as our new Director of Track & Field and Cross Country,” OSU athletic director Gene Smith said. “She has head coaching experience overseeing a dual men’s and women’s program at Southern Illinois, and now she is coming back home to Ohio State. She won six individual Big Ten championships as a Buckeye, graduated from Ohio State, and then coached here under Karen Dennis and helped us win six Big Ten team titles.”

Prior to her time at SIU, Joseph spent a decade coaching the Buckeyes. She served as an assistant coach under Dennis from 200 to 2012 before being promoted to an associate head coach position in 2013 and coaching through the 2017-18 season. She was named Great Lakes Region Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year before leaving for Southern Illinois.

“We are excited to welcome Rosalind back home to Columbus as our new Director of Track & Field and Cross Country,” Jamie Wood, the sport administrator for track & field and cross country, said in a statement. “In the wake of such a historic coaching run by Karen Dennis there was no doubt in our minds that Coach Joseph puts us in the best position to continue building on the foundation of success established through Karen’s years.”

“WOW – this is a dream come true,” Joseph said. “It is not often one gets to return to their alma mater to lead. Ohio State is a place that has given me so much as a student-athlete and as a young professional, so to come full circle as director is almost unbelievable. Thank you to Mr. Gene Smith and his administration for entrusting me with this role. These are BIG shoes to fill in following Karen Dennis, but so would be the case for anyone in the country. I feel poised and prepared to come back to my second home and take on the task of continuing the tradition of greatness with this historic program.”

What better way to make as seamless of a transition after Dennis’ retirement than bringing in a former Buckeye that’s worked under her and is familiar with the culture and winning ways of the program.

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Karen Dennis, Director of Ohio State men’s and women’s track and field, announces retirement

In case you missed it, Ohio State director of men’s and women’s track and field and cross country, Karen Dennis, announced her retirement.

It’s been a long, productive run for Ohio State director of men’s and women’s track and field and cross country, but it’s coming to an end. The university announced the retirement of Karen Dennis on Monday after 20 years at Ohio State.

Dennis came to OSU in 2002 as an assistant coach with the women’s track and field team and was elevated to women’s head coach in 2006. In 2014, she took on both the women’s and men’s track and field and cross country programs as the director.

During her time running the show, the Buckeyes took home 12 Big Ten championships including women’s indoor (2011, 2015, 2019, 2020) and outdoor (2011, 2012, 2019, 2021, 2022) crowns as well as men’s indoor and outdoor championships in 2018, their first in 25 years, and an outdoor title in 2022.

“I hope this isn’t too much of a surprise,” Dennis said in a statement. “I have coached for a long time and there are still things in life I’d like to do. I am truly thankful for this profession, and I want to express my gratitude to the many assistant coaches and support staff that have shared and sweated alongside me on this incredible journey. They share a primary role in the success of our programs.

“I also want to thank the hundreds of student-athletes who have shared their lives and careers as Buckeyes, and also their parents.

“I want to thank the great coaches here at Ohio State, and in the Big Ten Conference and nationally, who have served as examples of excellence and who have challenged and motivated me to be better.

“And, I want to thank my family for the sacrifices they made while I pursued coaching, and specifically my daughter Ebony, who shared with me and introduced me to 100s of kids through her work.”

To say that Dennis went out on top would be an understatement. She retires the same year that both the men’s and women’s track and field teams took home the outdoor Big Ten championship, the only time that’s happened in the program’s history.

“I can’t thank Karen Dennis enough for her friendship, her mentorship and the love she has for her student-athletes and Ohio State athletics,” Gene Smith, Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director, said. “I want to congratulate her on a truly legendary career in coaching. We have been incredibly fortunate to have her leading our programs.”

She will be missed.

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Ohio State’s Adelaide Aquilla breaks NCAA shot put record, defends national title

This is a very underrated result that should probably be more of a discussion point than what it will get. #GoBucks

Ohio State track and field star Adelaide Aquilla has done it again, this time in an even more impressive fashion. Aquilla won her second-straight NCAA title in the shot put by breaking the collegiate record with a throw of 19.64m.

Last year’s Olympic bronze medalist also had the top four throws in the entire competition to dominate the field and help place Ohio State No. 6 in the overall women’s NCAA championships after the first day of events. Aquilla beat the second-place finisher by more than a whole meter.

Perhaps even more impressive, Aquilla’s winning throw is the fourth-best in the entire world this year. In other words, the current Buckeye athlete is a star in the making on the world stage.

Keep an eye on the senior shot-putter as she no doubt begins to have more time to train even more intensely after college and perhaps make a run at some pretty special things in the next Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.

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Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on Twitter.

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