Peters sets championship record as Bulldogs become only third team to take top two spots in finals history; Bazile joins Ohio State long jump legacy, with Flanagan capturing 10,000 title

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

EUGENE – Mississippi State had produced first- and second-place finishes the past two years in the men’s javelin throw final at the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships.

But the Bulldogs validated their nickname of “Javelin U” by securing the top two spots Wednesday, including a championship record by freshman Anderson Peters at Hayward Field.

Peters delivered a third-round throw of 271-9 (82.82m), surpassing last year’s mark of 270-11 (82.58m) established by Texas A&M’s Ioannis Kyriazis, with senior teammate Nicolas Quijera recording a personal-best 263-2 (80.21m) on his final throw to take second.

“I’ve been preparing for specifically for this meet and these types of conditions. I knew how many warm-up throws I needed, so that’s why I was able to take the lead so early,” said Peters, who elevated to the No. 7 performer in collegiate history.

“I was physically at my best, but I wasn’t able to throw as far as I wanted to. The conditions weren’t perfect, but it was okay.”

Mississippi State, which celebrated its second title in three years following a Curtis Thompson victory in 2016, became the third program in championship meet history to secure the top two spots in the men’s javelin.

North Carolina had Justin Ryncavage and Adam Montague finish 1-2 in 2007, with Oregon’s Les Tipton, Gary Reddaway and Ron Gomez sweeping the top three spots in 1964.

The Bulldogs, with 18 points, trail only Georgia (20) following the first day of competition.

Michigan senior Ben Flanagan won the men’s 10,000-meter title in 28:34.53, relying on a 57-second final lap to hold off Alabama’s Vincent Kiprop in 28:34.99. Flanagan became the first Wolverines standout to capture the 10,000 title since John Scherer won back-to-back championships in 1988-89.

“Going into this race, I knew I had a shot. I knew it was an outside shot. I just told myself that I’ve never been first-team All-American. I told myself if I was in the top three to not get too excited about it. If I’m in contention for the win, don’t settle for anything else,” Flanagan said. “You’re prepared for anything (Wednesday). I know those NAU guys race so tough, Alabama runners, too. There are so many strong athletes in the field. I just wanted to stay as relaxed as possible and respond to everything.”

Ohio State senior Zack Bazile soared to a wind-legal 27-5.50 (8.37m) effort in the second round to win the men’s long jump by more than a foot.

Bazile became the sixth Buckeye athlete to win the title, including the first since 1989, joining a group that includes Jesse Owens (1935-36).

“Coming into this meet, nobody was really talking about me. I kind of liked coming in as the underdog. I wasn’t really talking to anybody and wasn’t really getting any looks,” Bazile said. “I came back a little more aggressive on my second jump. I definitely thought that people were going to chase me, especially KeAndre (Bates) and Grant (Holloway) and I have a lot of respect for them, so I knew I couldn’t let up until the competition was over.”

Following a 1-2 finish last year, Bates and Holloway placed seventh and ninth for Florida, which is in fifth place overall with 13 points.

In semifinal track races, Andre Ewers of Florida State and McKinely West of Southern Mississippi were the only athletes to qualify for both the 100- and 200-meter finals, in addition to both of their 4x100 relay teams advancing.

Florida posted the fastest 4x100 time at 38.49 and Texas A&M led all 4x400 qualifiers in 3:01.13, with Ewers running a wind-aided 10.00 in the 100 and Georgia’s Kendal Williams clocking a wind-legal 20.23 in the 200.

Defending 1,500 champion Josh Kerr of New Mexico advanced in 3:47.47, with Minnesota’s Obsa Ali leading all 3,000 steeplechase qualifiers in 8:39.17.

USC teammates Michael Norman and Rai Benjamin positioned themselves for championship runs in the 400 meters and 400 hurdles, clocking 44.66 and 49.66. North Carolina’s Kenny Selmon was the top qualifier in the 400 hurdles in 49.27.

Kansas’ Bryce Hoppel posted the top mark in the 800 semifinals in 1:46.98 and Alabama’s Ruebin Walters ran a wind-legal 13.38 to lead the way in the 110 hurdles.