Hall sets American men's 200 record, Thomas produces collegiate women's 200 standard and Hobbs equals 60 mark

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Even without USC's assault on collegiate, American and world records in the 400-meter finals and 4x400 relays Saturday, there were still plenty of fireworks in the sprint events at the NCAA Division 1 Indoor Championships in College Station, Texas.

Houston senior Elijah Hall set the American and collegiate records by clocking 20.02 seconds in the men's 200, Harvard junior Gabby Thomas produced the collegiate record by running 22.38 in the women's 200 and LSU senior Aleia Hobbs equaled the all-time fastest women's 60 in collegiate history by clocking 7.07 to lead a Tigers sweep of the top two spots.

Hall, who also won the 60 in 6.52 to edge Auburn's Raheem Chambers (6.53), eclipsed the 2005 mark of 20.10 in the 200 set by Arkansas graduate Wallace Spearmon. Hall, who elevated to No. 2 all-time in the world in the indoor 200, matched the success last year of former Tennessee star Christian Coleman, the current indoor 60 world record holder at 6.34, by sweeping both titles.

Thomas broke the 2008 record of 22.40 held by former Texas standout Bianca Knight, elevating to No. 2 in American indoor history and equaling the No. 5 all-time performer in the world, Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica. San Diego State senior Ashley Henderson ran 22.41, the No. 3 mark in collegiate history, in the first section to place the pressure on Thomas.

Hobbs matched the mark set last year at altitude in Albuquerque, N.M., by former Oregon talent Hannah Cunliffe. Mikiah Brisco, who ran 7.08 on Feb. 3 in New Mexico, placed second to Hobbs in 7.11 and Henderson was fifth in 7.20.

Hobbs' title was the 39th for the LSU women's program, equaling Texas for the most all-time.

UTEP sophomore Michael Saruni set the meet record in the men's 800, improving on his No. 2 performance in collegiate history by clocking 1:45.15, trailing only the 1989 record of 1:44.84 set by former Virginia star and UTEP coach Paul Ereng. Saruni followed former teammate Emmanuel Korir in winning the title, making the miners the first program since Villanova in 1968-69 to produce different champions in consecutive years in the two-lap event.

Missouri senior Karissa Schweizer followed her title Friday in the 5,000 by winning the 3,000 in 8:53.36, becoming the fifth female athlete in Division 1 history to complete the indoor sweep.

New Mexico sophomore Josh Kerr repeated as men's mile champion in 3:57.02, becoming the first male athlete to capture back-to-back titles since former Lobos standout Lee Emmanuel in 2009-10.

New Hampshire senior Ellie Purrier won the women's mile in 4:31.76 and Oregon senior Sabrina Southerland secured the women's 800 title in 2:01.55, giving the Ducks four championships in the past five years, along with Laura Roesler and Raevyn Rogers.

Northern Arizona senior Andy Trouard captured the men's 3,000 crown in 8:04.94, denying Syracuse senior Justyn Knight (8:05.76) a potential double after his 5,000 title Friday.

Penn State sophomore David Lucas equaled the No. 4 weight throw in Division 1 history with a fifth-round mark of 78-9.75 (24.02m).

Minnesota senior Kaitlyn Long saved her best for last in the women's weight throw with an effort of 76-5.50 (23.30m) to edge Cincinnati senior Annette Echikunwoke at 76-5 (23.29m).

Texas sophomore O'Brien Wasome prevailed on his final triple jump with a leap of 55-2.25 (16.82m), becoming the first Longhorns champion in the event.