On memorable day for collegiate teammates, Rebels demonstrate own distance depth at Vanderbilt, highlighted by Suliman’s victory in 3:55.60; Arkansas, USC women showcase 400 strength, with five male athletes running sub-46 at Clemson Tiger Paw Invitational; Grimes regains world long jump lead

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The Oregon men’s milers and Brigham Young trio in the 5,000 meters weren’t the only memorable collegiate indoor marks achieved in bunches Friday at several high-profile meets across the country.

Although Oregon had three mile performances under 3 minutes, 54 seconds, including a collegiate record 3:50.39 from Cooper Teare, there were six sub-4 performances produced at the Music City Challenge, hosted by Vanderbilt.

Waleed Suliman prevailed in 3:55.60, leading four Ole Miss athletes to eclipse the barrier. Mario Garcia Romo (3:56.46) was second, Everett Smulders (3:58.73) finished fourth and Baylor Franklin (3:59.12) placed fifth for the Rebels. Davis Bove of LSU took third in 3:57.49 and Furman’s Cameron Ponder secured sixth in 3:59.76.

It marked the first time six collegiate athletes all ran under 4 minutes in the same race on an oversized track since the 2016 Husky Classic at the Dempsey facility in Washington.

Arkansas had five female athletes run under 53 seconds in the 400 meters at the Tyson Invitational, led by Rosey Effiong clocking 52.27.

USC had four female competitors run under 54 seconds in the 400 at the Texas Tech Shootout, highlighted by Bailey Lear (51.94) and Kaelin Roberts (51.96) becoming only the second teammates this season to eclipse the 52-second barrier, joining Texas A&M’s Athing Mu (50.52) and Charokee Young (51.93).

The men’s 400 at the Clemson Tiger Paw Invitational had four collegiate athletes run under 46 seconds, with a fifth competitor – Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Islands (45.92) – also achieving the feat.

North Carolina A&T sophomore Randolph Ross ran 45.21, just ahead of the 45.22 produced by Texas A&M senior Bryce Deadmon at the Tyson Invitational.

Virginia Tech’s Jacory Patterson (45.24), North Carolina A&T’s Trevor Stewart (45.55) and Kentucky’s Dwight St. Hillaire (45.64) also ran at Clemson, achieving top 10 collegiate marks this season.

Arkansas had Katie Izzo (8:57.78) and Lauren Gregory (8:58.36) take the top two spots in the 3,000 at the Tyson Invitational, with BYU having three athletes – including Anna Camp-Bennett (8:52.75) competing unattached, with only cross country eligibility this season – running under the 9-minute mark at the Washington Invite, as Courtney Wayment clocked 8:54.90 and Olivia Hoj running 8:56.91.

The first three female athletes eclipsed the 8-second barrier in the 60-meter hurdles this season, with Florida sophomore Grace Stark edging Texas senior Chanel Brissett by a 7.96 to 7.98 margin at the Tyson Invitational, in addition to USC freshman Jasmine Jones clocking 7.98 at the Texas Tech Shootout.

The top four girls distance medley relay performances in the country this year were also achieved at the Tyson Invitational, as Arkansas’ quartet of Kennedy Thomson, Kethilin Campbell, Shafiqua Maloney and Krissy Gear prevailed in 10:53.77.

Florida State achieved a pair of collegiate-leading efforts, including a world-leading mark from Isaac Grimes in the long jump with a 27-4 (8.33m) performance at the Tyson Invitational, helping him equal the No. 5 all-time collegiate indoor performer. Trey Cunningham also improved on his top time in the 60-meter hurdles by running 7.55 for the Seminoles.

Memphis senior DeeNia McMiller took over the collegiate lead in the women’s weight throw with a mark of 74-8.50 (22.77m) at the Samford Bulldog Invite at the CrossPlex in Birmingham, Ala.