2016 SEC Track & Field Outdoor Championships - EVENT UPDATES
5/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Check back for championship updates throughout the three-day event.
NOTE: Most recent events begin at the top of the page.
SATURDAY, MAY 14
Women's 4x400m
SEC Champion: Florida
An outstanding anchor leg propelled the Florida Gators foursome of Robin Reynolds, Sharikka Barnett, Taylor Sharpe and Claudia Francis to a comeback win in the women's 4x400m race with a winning time of 3:29.32. Francis, who ran the team's anchor leg, was able to catch South Carolina's Precious Holmes down the back stretch that pushed the Gators to their second straight SEC crown in the event. The Gamecocks foursome of Aliya Abrams, Erika Rucker, Tyler Brockington and Holmes finished in a time of 3:29.54 and led the event until the final 200 meters when Francis made her move. Tennessee placed third in a time of 3:30.18, followed by Kentucky (3:30.27) and LSU (3:31.65). Texas A&M (3:32.83), Alabama (3:33.80) and Arkansas (3:34.13) also scored points for their repsective teams.
Men's 4x400m
SEC Champion: LSU
LSU's team of LaMar Bruton, Michael Cherry, Cyril Grayson and Fitzroy Dunkley set an SEC championship record and facility record with a time of 3:00.48, as the Tigers won the 4x400m outdoor title for the first time since 2007 and the sixth time overall. The Tigers led the field wire-to-wire as they bested runner-up and defending champion Florida (3:03.36) by more than two seconds. Texas A&M placed third in the event in a time of 3:03.50, while Tennessee (3:04.24) and Mississippi State (3:05.38) rounded out the top five. Georgia (3:06.09), Arkansas (3:08.49) and South Carolina (3:09.67) also scored points for their respective teams.
Men's 5,000m
SEC Champion: Jacob Thompson, Kentucky
Kentucky's Jacob Thompson pulled off the distance double by claiming the victory in both the men's 5,000m on Saturday after winning the 10,000m on Thursday night. Thompson won with a time of 13:54.27, bettering Ole Miss teammates Ryan Walling (13:56.21) and MJ Erb (14:05.23). Arkansas' Alex George placed fourth in a time of 14:08.05, while Alabama's Antibahs Kosgei rounded out the top five with a time of 14:08.08. Arkansas teammates rounded out the scoring runners with Austen Dalquist (14:17.43), Cale Wallace (14:20.22) and Jack Bruce (14:25.08), finishing sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively.
Women's 5,000m
SEC Champion: Dominique Scott, Arkansas
Senior Dominique Scott is the back-to-back 5,000m SEC Champion. The Arkansas Razorback wins the competition with a time of 16:10.62, which breaks the Sam Bailey Track and Field Stadium record set back in 1989 by Sammie Resh of Nebraska. This is the third straight year that Arkansas has won this event at the championships. The seven-time first team All-American collects her seventh SEC Championship and her third in the 5,000 meters. Junior Chelsea Blaase finished in second place crossing the finish line with 16:16.97. She placed second at the 2016 SEC Cross Country Championships and won the 3,000 meter and 5,000 meter titles at the 2016 Indoor SEC Championships. Sophomore Karissa Schweizer landed at the No. 3 spot with a 16:17.82 effort.
Men's 200m
SEC Champion: Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, LSU
LSU's Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake won his second SEC Outdoor crown on Saturday by sweeping both the 100m and 200m titles. Mitchell-Blake's 200m time of 19.95 was the top mark in the NCAA this year, third-best in the world and tied for sixth in collegiate history. It also set a Sam Bailey Stadium record. Mitchell-Blake finished just ahead of his teammate junior Renard Howell, who was runner up in a time of 20.15. Florida's Arman Hall placed third in a time of 20.34, followed by Auburn's Kahlil Henderson at 20.43. Tennessee's Christian Coleman placed fifth in a time of 20.45, while Arkansas' Jarrion Lawson (20.56), LSU's Tinashe Mutanga (20.60) and Texas A&M's Elijah Morrow (20.74) rounded out the scorers, respectively.
Women's 200m
SEC Champion: Felicia Brown, Tennessee
Senior Felicia Brown from Tennessee took home the SEC Championship title in the 200-meter dash. The Lady Volunteer crossed the finish line with a personal best time of 22.26, which is the No.1 fastest 200-meter performance by a collegiate this year. Her time is the 10th-best effort in collegiate history and ties the second-fastest time in the world. This is her second medal from the 2016 SEC Outdoor Championships after she finished in third in the 100-meter dash. Senior Taylor Ellis-Watson finished in second place with a time of 22.48. Last year, the four-time All-American won the 2015 SEC Outdoor Championship title in the 400 meters. Lastly, junior Jada Martin from LSU landed in third recording time of 22.60.
Men's Triple Jump
SEC Champion: Clive Pullen, Arkansas
Arkansas junior Clive Pullen won the men's triple jump with a leap of 55-0.75 (16.78m). He is the first Arkansas athlete to win the event since Nikosinza Balumbu won the title in 2008. Clive also won the indoor NCAA and indoor SEC title in 2016. Texas A&M senior Latario Collie finished as the runner-up with a best mark of 54-11.5 (16.75m). Alabama junior Jermiah Green finished third with a jump of 53-3.75 (16.25m). He was followed by Missouri sophomore John Warren who jumped 52-5.25 (15.98m). Texas A&M senior Lathone Collie rounded out the top five with a first-round jump of 52-1.25 (15.88m).
Women's Pole Vault
SEC Champion: Alexis Weeks, Arkansas
A pair of Arkansas freshmen earned the top two spots in the 2016 SEC women's pole vault. Alexis Weeks took home the SEC crown, marking the eighth Arkansas pole vault title in the last 10 years. Weeks also won this year's NCAA indoor title in the women's pole vault along with the SEC indoor title. The freshman earned her second SEC title in impressive fashion, setting a new facility record of 4.57m (15.0), which bests the previous record set by Neal Tisher of Ole Miss in 2012 with a mark of 4.14m (13.7). Week's mark is the third-best winning mark in SEC outdoor championship history. Victoria Weeks took home the runner-up title, posting a mark of 4.30m (14-1.25). She cleared the bar on her first attempt to finish ahead of Auburn's Jessie Johnson who also cleared 4.30m (14-1.25) but on her third attempt. Arkansas senior Megan Zimlich secured fourth place with a third-attempt clearance of 4.30m (14-1.25). She finished behind Johnson due to a miss at 4.00m (13-1.25). Tennessee's Kristen Denk was the third freshman in the top five, clearing 4.15m (13-7.25) to finish fifth overall.
Men's High Jump
SEC Champion: Branden Greene, Ole Miss
Branden Greene of Ole Miss claimed the SEC Outdoor title in the high jump with a leap of 7-2.25 (2.19m). Greene became the second Ole Miss athlete to win the title and the fourth overall. Former standout Ricky Robertson won the event threee times (2010, 2011 and 2014). Arkansas junior Ken LeGassey finished runner up with a matching leap of 7-2.25 (2.19m), but did so in more jump attempts to result in the second-place finish. Seth Peace from Mississippi State placed third at 7-0.25 (2.15m), while Alabama's Justin Fondren was fourth due to more attempts with a similar leap of 7-0.25. Xavier McAllister from Kentucky, Wesley Edwards from Tennessee and Justin Kretchmer from Kentucky placed fifth through seventh, respectively.
Women's 400m Hurdles
SEC Champion: Shamier Little, Texas A&M
Junior Shamier Little from Texas A&M repeated as the SEC Outdoor champion in the 400m hurdles with a time of 54.72. The time now leads the NCAA for the year and ranks as the fourth-fastest time in the event in the world, while also setting a new Sam Bailey Stadium record. LSU's Chanice Chase was the runner-up with a time of 56.17. Kiah Seymour from Kentucky placed third in a time of 56.61, while Florida's Claudia Francis was just a tenth of a second behind to finish fourth in a time of 56.62. LSU's Ka'Lynn Jupiter placed fifth in the event in a time of 57.66, followed by Missouri's Valerie Thames (57.72), South Carolina's Tyler Brockington (58.06) and Arkansas' DamaJahnee Birch (58.13).
Shamier Little Quotes:
On winning SEC title and defending last year's championship:
"I'm just excited to be getting my times down and getting back into the rhythm of my race. With the strong head wind on the backstretch I wanted to get an early lead over the field. I knew I had to step my race up to defend my title. I'm just excited to be getting my times down and getting back into the rhythm of my race. With the strong head wind on the backstretch I wanted to get an early lead over the field. I knew I had to step my race up to defend my title."
Men's 400m Hurdles
SEC Champion: Eric Futch, Florida
The men's 400-meter hurdles competition consisted of a strong field with four of the top seven fastest hurdlers in the NCAA that competed in this year's finals. Emerging from that elite group was junior Eric Futch from Florida who won the competition with a personal best time of 49.24. That is the No. 2 fastest collegiate time in the country this year and he moves up six spots on the world list landing at No. 15. He is the first Florida runner since 2005 to win the event and recorded the fastest winning time since 2009. Sophomore Robert Grant from Texas A&M finished in the runner-up position with a 49.44 effort and remains at No. 3 on the national NCAA list. Junior TJ Holmes from Florida landed in third crossing the finish line in 49.96 which moves him up to the No. 4 spot on the national NCAA list.
Men's Discus
SEC Champion: Daniel Haugh, Alabama
The Alabama Crimson Tide discus throwers finished the event with a 1-2-3-5 punch. This is the first time this year that one team finished in the top-three positions at the Outdoor SEC Championship meet. In total, the male discus throwers contributed 28 points for the Crimson Tide, the most points collected by one team in an SEC Championship throwing event in 2016. Redshirt Freshman Daniel Haugh won the event with a personal best throw of 195-3 (59.53m) in the sixth round. This is the first SEC title for the redshirt freshman and his second SEC medal in his track and field career. Redshirt freshman Kord Ferguson finished runner-up in the discus throw with a mark of 191-11 (58.51m) produced in the second round of competition. Junior Joe Williams landed in third with his first toss of the day of 191-7 (58.39m). Fourth place went to Texas A&M's Jeff Bartlett (184-9), while the Crimson Tide's Hayden Reed finished fifth at 182-4 (55.58m).
Daniel Haugh Quotes
On winning the SEC while Alabama placed 1-2-3-5:
"It was a lot of fun out there competing with each other. This is what we wanted to do and we hoping to do. We all knew we could do something special, we came out and we had some good throws. I'm just in shock right now."
Men's 800m
SEC Champion: Brandon McBride, Mississippi State
The No. 1-ranked 800m runner in Division-I Brandon McBride set a new facility record with a time of 1:45.68 to claim the 800m SEC Outdoor title. McBride's time was just off the SEC meet record of 1:45.27, which was set by Otukile Lekote of South Carolina in 2002. McBride won the same event at the 2014 SEC Outdoor title and remains the only Bulldog to win the event at the outdoor championships. McBride defeated Hector Hernandez of Texas A&M, who previously owned the facility record which he set just a day ago in the preliminaries. Hernandez's teammate Donavan Brazier placed third in a time of 1:46.19, followed by Georgia's Christian Harrison (1:46.69) and Arkansas' Ryan Thomas (1:47.62).
Women's 800m
SEC Champion: Ariah Graham, Kentucky
Kentucky junior Ariah Graham won the women's 800 meters with a time of 2:03.63. She is the first Kentucky SEC Outdoor champion in this event. Graham finished second at the 2016 Indoor SEC championships. Texas A&M freshman Jazmine Fray ran 2:04.18 to finish second. LSU junior Morgan Schuetz finished third with a time of 2:04.19. Vanderbilt sophomore Courtney Clayton followed with a time of 2:07.78 and Ceara Watson finished fifth, running 2:07.92.
Men's 100m
SEC Champion: Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, LSU
LSU's Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake captured the 100m SEC Outdoor Championship in a time of 10.16. In doing so, he became the first Tiger to win the race since Trindon Holiday in 2009. Mitchell-Blake defeated runner-up Christian Coleman of Tennessee by three-tenths of a second (10.19), with Missouri's Markesh Woodson placing third in a time of 10.20. Arkansas' Jarrion Lawson placed fourth in a time of 10.24 followed by his teammate Kenzo Cotton (10.28). Tremayne Acy of LSU (10.29), Ryan Clark of Florida (10.32) and Mustaqeem Williams of Tennessee (10.33) rounded out the scorers in the event.
Women's 100m
SEC Champion: Kyra Jefferson, Florida
Florida junior Kyra Jefferson took home the 100 meter dash crown with a time of 11.28. Jefferson was the 2015 NCAA indoor champion in the 200 meters and won the 200 meters at the 2015 SEC Indoor Championships. She also owns both the indoor and outdoor school records for Florida in the 200 meters. She is the second Florida runner to win the event, joining Michelle Freeman who won the title in 1992. LSU freshman Kortnei Johnson ran 11.29 to finish as the runner-up. Tennessee senior Felicia Brown took home third with a time of 11.32. Brown was followed by Texas A&M freshman Krystal Sparling who ran 11.36. LSU junior Jada Martin rounded out the top five, running 11.40.
Men's 400m
SEC Champion: Kahmari Montgomery, Missouri
Missouri Freshman Kahmari Montgomery won his first outdoor SEC championship in the 400 meters. Montgomery claimed the indoor SEC title in the event earlier this year. His time of 45.13 is second-fastest in the NCAA in 2016. Montgomery is the first Missouri athlete to win an SEC championship in this event outdoors. LSU junior Michael Cherry ran 45.22 to finish as the runner up and his teammate, senior Fitzroy Dunkley, crossed the line just behind in 45.34. Florida senior Arman Hall finished fourth with a time of 45.43. Texas A&M junior Fred Kerley claimed fifth in a time of 45.61.
Women's 400m
SEC Champion: Taylor Ellis-Watson, Arkansas
Arkansas' Taylor Ellis-Watson rank a 50.81 to win the race and repeat as SEC Outdoor champion in the 400m. Ellis-Watson's time of 50.81 not only set a new Sam Bailey Stadium record, but ranks as the second fastest times in NCAA Division I this year and was just shy of the SEC meet record of 50.63 set by Miki Barber of South Carolina in 2001. Felecia Majors of Tennessee finished runner-up with a time of 51.29, followed by Florida's Robin Reynolds in a time of 52 seconds flat. Aliyah Abrams, who was a member of South Carolina's 4x100m team, placed fourth in a time of 52.04 and in fifth place was Alabama's Alex Gholston with a time of 52.04. Rounding out the scorers were Daina Harper of Arkansas (52.57), Briyahna Desrosiers of Texas A&M (52.93) and Rachel Misher of LSU (52.98), respectively.
Men's 110m Hurdles
SEC Champion: Jordan Moore, LSU
After a recalled start, junior Jordan Moore from LSU wins the 110 hurdles title. The LSU Tiger ran a wind legal time of 13.53 that edged him to victory by .01 seconds. Moore is the fourth LSU runner to win the event in school history joining Orlando McDaniel (1980), Bernard Williams (1985), and Barrett Nugent (2010-12). The Georgia-native wins his second SEC title of the year after winning the 60m hurdles at the 2016 Indoor SEC Championships. Senior Dondre Echols from South Carolina comes in second place, recording a season best time of 13.54 and collects his second silver medal in the event in his career. Junior Nick Anderson from Kentucky finished in third place crossing the finish line in 13.60. Arkansas' Devon Anderson placed fourth in a time of 13.82, while South Carolina's Jermaine Collier rounded out the top five with a time of 13.92.
Women's 100m Hurdles
SEC Champion: Jasmine Camacho-Quinn
Kentucky freshman Jasmine Camacho-Quinn ran a time of 12.69 to win the SEC championship in the women's 100m hurdles. Her time was just off the top marks in the nation, but it ranked second-fastest in the NCAA this season and broke a Sam Bailey Stadium record which she set just 24 hours prior. With the victory, Camacho-Quinn becomes the first freshman to win the an SEC title in the event since Jasmin Stowers won as a rookie in 2011. Kentucky has now won the event three consecutive years. Georgia's Kendell Williams placed second in a time of 13 seconds flat, while Kentucky's Jacklyn Howell placed third in a time of 13.09. Mikiah Brisco of LSU finished fourth in the event with a time of 13.11, followed by fifth-place finisher Valerie Thomas of Missouri (13.18). Alabama's Vanessa Clerveaux placed seventh overall with a time of 13.29, which was a personal-best and seventh-fastest time in Alabama history. Mississippi State's Erica Bougard was seventh, while Arkansas' Payton Stumbaugh rounded out the scorers with a time of 13.86 to place eighth.
Men's 1,500m
SEC Champion: Craig Engels, Ole Miss
The final field of 12 runners included five Ole Miss runners led by junior Craig Engels, and it was Engels who etched his name into the Rebels' record book by becoming the first Ole Miss winner of the outdoor 1,500 meters. Engels and fellow Ole Miss junior Robert Domanic took the first two positions in the race just ahead of Jack Bruce of Arkansas and Alabama's Robbie Farnham-Rose. Sean Tobin of Ole Miss was fifth and Blair Henderson of LSU took sixth. Will Crocker of Missouri, the lone senior in the race, was seventh while Ole Miss's Derek Gutierrez took the last scoring spot in eighth place. The race was tight from start to finish as the pack never truly separated. At the 900-meter mark, Bruce ran to the lead with Engels second and Farnham-Rose a close third ahead of Crocker. Entering the bell lap, Bruce, Engles, and Farnham-Rose were in a virtual tie after Bruce ran a 59.38 third lap. Bruce, the tallest runner in the field, forged in front and threatened to stretch his lead before the diminutive Farnham-Rose made a run to challenge with about 300 meters to go. Blair Henderson of LSU made a charge for the lead with around 250 to go with Engels and Domanic beginning to make a push. As they entered the final turn, Crocker began to fade while Farnham-Rose and Engels began to close on Bruce. Out of the final turn, Engels and Domanic made their final bid for the lead. Engels pushed past Bruce in the final 80 meters with Domanic close behind. Engels won it in 3:50.71 with Domanic second in 3:50.92. Bruce held on to third by a whisker ahead of a diving Farnham-Rose by .01 (3:51.10 to 3:51.11). Ole Miss picked up 23 team points in the event, finishing 1-2-5-8.
Women's 1,500m
SEC Champion: Marta Freitas, Mississippi State
Mississippi State senior Marta Freitas won the 1,500 meter finals with a time of 4:24, overtaking Arkansas senior Dominique Scott on the back stretch. Freitas won the 2016 indoor SEC championship in the mile. She is also slated to compete in the 800 meter finals and the 5,000 meters later today. Scott, the defending 1,500-meter SEC champion, clocked a time of 4:25.15 to finish second. Missouri sophomore Karissa Schweizer ran 4:29.08 to claim third place. Alabama senior Meropi Panagiotou ran 4:30.21 to finish fourth just ahead Florida sophomore Taylor Tubbs who ran 4:30.22 to finish fifth.
Women's 4x100m relay
SEC Champion: LSU
The four-person team from LSU ran the 12th-fastest time in collegiate history by recording a winning score of 42.77 to win the SEC Championship. The winning team of Mikiah Brisco, Kourtnei Johnson, Jada Martin and Rushell Harvey ran the third-fastest time in the world this year on their way to setting a facility record, defeating South Carolina's 43.33 set back in 2007. The Tigers topped South Carolina's of 43.33 set back in 2007. Texas A&M's team of Jennifer Madu, Krystal Sparling, Brenessa Thompson and Aaliyah Brown finished with second in a time of 42.94, which tied for the 15th-fastest time in collegiate history. Kentucky placed third in a time of 43.55, followed by Alabama in fourth at 43.70, which stands as tied for third-best in school history, and Tennessee in fifth at 44.21.
Men's 4x100m relay
SEC Champion: LSU
The LSU men gave the Tigers a sweep of the men's and women's 4x400m relays as the team of Jaron Flournoy, Renard Howell, Tremayne Acy and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake won with a time of 38.33. That time ranked sixth in collegiate history while also setting a new SEC Championship and Sam Bailey Stadium record. Arkansas placed second in a time of 38.96, while Alabama ran a time of 39.04, which was the eighth-fastest time in school history. Tennessee (39.12) and Auburn (39.21) rounded out the top five.
Women's Triple Jump
SEC Champion: Keturah Orji, Georgia
Georgia sophomore Keturah Orji is the back to back women's outdoor triple jump champion recording a leap of 47-10 .75 (14.60m). Her winning mark is the second-farthest wind-aided mark in the world and the fifth-best jump in the world in all weather conditions. The two-time All-American's second-best mark of the day was 46-6.75 (14.19m), which stands as the fourth-best collegiate mark in NCAA history, while her winning jump ties Erica Mclain from Stanford for the best wind-aided triple jump performance by a collegiate in the NCAA - a mark which was set in 2008. Since she became a Bulldog in 2014-15, she has won every triple jump title at the SEC Indoor and Outdoor Championships. During the competition, the two-time NCAA Champion broke the Sam Bailey Stadium record three times, once in her first jump of the day of 46-0 (14.02m), second in round three with a leap of 46-6.75 (14.19m), and third with her final leap of the competition. In second place was Simone Charley, a junior from Vanderbilt University, with a 45-0.5 (13.73m) performance produced in round two and South Carolina junior Natasha Dicks landed in third place with a 44-2 (13.46m) effort.
Keturah Orji Quotes
On winning the SEC title:
"I am really excited because I never expected to jump this far this early in my season. I actually ended up crying when I saw the distance on the board. I am always trying to score as many points as I can since we don't have as many people in as many events so this felt great. As we get to Regionals and Nationals, I want to stay consistent at this distance and not just get this mark once."
Men's Pole Vault
SEC Champion: Jake Blankenship, Tennessee
Tennessee senior Jake Blankenship defended his 2015 SEC crown in the men's pole vault with a new facility record of 18-6.5 (5.65m) in a thrilling event finish. Blankenship and Texas A&M sophomore Audie Wyatt vied for the top spot in the event. Wyatt led Blankenship through 18-3.25 (5.57m) when he cleared the bar on his first attempt. Blankenship elected to pass his last two attempts at that height after missing his first attempt. Blankenship then cleared the winning height on his first attempt with Wyatt missing on his first try. Wyatt passed his next two attempts and the bar moved to 18-8.25 (5.70m). Blakenship missed his first attempt and Wyatt missed his remaining two to end his day. Tennessee has now won the pole vault title 13 times in the last 27 years, dating back to 1991. Missouri freshman Matthew Ludwig had a clean day through 17-5 (5.31m) to finish third. Tennessee senior Tyler Porter finished fourth with a second-attempt clearance at 17-1 (5.21m). Texas A&M freshman Jacob Wooten and sophomore Carl Johansson tied for fifth by clearing 17-1 (5.21m) on their third attempts.
Jake Blankenship Quotes
On what defending his SEC outdoor pole vault champion meant to him:
"This is awesome. It is a great victory because I went through a lot during the indoor season and the beginning outdoor, recovering from an injury and it took me through rehab. I feel strong, I feel great and I have had a lot of great support. It has been a rollercoaster. There's been a lot of ups and downs, but it's all worth it. It has prepared me really well for this championship season."
If the 5.65m he put up to win is right where he wants to be at this time of the year:
"Absolutely. I could have taken more jumps. I feel like could have been able to make another 10-15 centimeters, but it's not worth it. Keep it easy and be able to progress from here at 5.65 and higher and higher from here on out."
Women's High Jump
SEC Champion: Madeline Fagan, Georgia
Georgia sophomore Madeline Fagan won the women's high jump with a clearance of 6-0.5 (1.84m). Fagan maintained a clean performance, clearing the bar on her first attempt at every height until 6-1.5 (1.87M). This is Fagan's first SEC high jump championship. She finished as the runner-up in the event at the 2016 SEC indoor championships with a clearance of 5-11.5 (1.82m) and finished 10th at the Indoor NCAA championships in the event with a jump of 5-11.5 (1.81m). Alabama freshman Claire Orcel finished as the runner-up with a personal-best clearance of 6-0.5 (1.84m). Orcel cleared both 6-0.5 and 5-10.75 (1.80m) on her third attempt. Mississippi State senior Erica Bougard finished third with a clearance of 5-10.75 (1.80m). Bougard won the heptathlon on Friday and is slated to compete in the 100-meter hurdles finals later today. Georgia senior and two-time NCAA champion in the event Leontia Kallenou finished fourth with a jump of 5-10.75 (1.80m) with one more miss than Bougard at that height. Alabama freshman Stacey Destin and Mississippi State sophomore Logan Boss both cleared 5-8.75 (1.75m) on their first attempts to finish tied for fifth.
Madeline Fagan Quotes
On winning the SEC Championship:
"It's a huge relief to get this title and I am just glad all of my hard work is paying off. It feels amazing because people say track and field is an individual sport. But what motivates us to do well is our team and so to give 10 points to them feels great. At Regionals I want to compete and do what I need to do to get through to Nationals. Then I want to go to Nationals, score, compete and be level-headed."
Women's Discus
SEC Champion: Shelbi Vaughn, Texas A&M
Texas A&M senior Shelbi Vaughn won the women's discus competition, marking her fourth outdoor championship title in the event for the Aggies. Vaughn claimed the victory on her first throw with a toss of 197-0 (60.05m), which set a new facility record at Sam Bailey Track and Field Stadium. The two-time NCAA discus champion won the event throwing a mark that bested the field by more than 12 feet. On the sixth round of competition, Ole Miss sophomore Raven Saunders jumped to a second-place finish with a toss of 184-6 (56.24m). This is Saunders' second medal this weekend, after claiming the women's shot put title yesterday for the Rebels. Senior Rachel Dincoff of Auburn finished third with her second-attempt throw of 180-10 (55.12m). This was Dincoff's highest SEC Championship finish in the discus throw.
Shelbi Vaughn Quotes
On winning her fourth straight SEC championship:
"It was exciting getting another 60m throw out there and special to win a fourth consecutive SEC title. So, that was really awesome. I just wanted to get a good throw in and go from there."
On the winning throw:
"The wind wasn't a factor for me today, but it was more my technique. After I got 197-0 on my first throw then I kind of relaxed. I was trying to focus on what I've been doing in practice to get another big throw. But, I'm waiting on the right timing. It's going to happen when it's supposed to happen."
FRIDAY MAY 12
Decathlon
SEC Champion: Lindon Victor, Texas A&M
In one of the most exciting decathlons in recent memory, Texas A&M's Lindon Victor scored an SEC and Sam Bailey record 8,446 points to secure the 2016 league championship. Victor was one of three athletes who scored more than 8,000 points to as he shattered the facility record of 7,752 points set back in 1996 by Victor Houston of Auburn and also set a new SEC meet record, bettering Georgia's Michael Uibo's total of 8,315 points set just a year ago. Furthermore, Victor's total was just 19 points shy of the collegiate record and is now the world leader for 2016, moving ahead of the 8,347 points by Cuba's Leonel Suarez. Uibo, the three-time defending SEC champion coming in, finished second with a score of 8,315 points, followed by teammate Devon Williams who placed third with 8,116 points. Combined, the trio now rank in the top three, respectively, among Division I decathletes. Kentucky teammates Tim Duckworth (7,709 points) and Ibn Short (7,588 points) rounded out the top five.
Below are event winners:
• 100m - Devon Williams (Georgia): 10.70
• Long Jump - Tim Duckworth (Kentucky): 7.44m (24-5)
• Shot Put - Lindor Victor (Texas A&M): 15.73m (51-7.25)
• High Jump - Tim Duckworth (Kentucky): 2.11m (6-11)
• 400m - Lindor Victor (Texas A&M): 48.33
• 110m - Devon Williams (Georgia): 14.03
• Discus - Lindor Victor (Texas A&M): 54.56m (179-0)
• Pole Vault - Marcel Uibo (Georgia): 5.05m (16-6.75)
• Javelin - Lindor Victor (Texas A&M): 68.96m (226-3)
• 1,500m - Derek Jacobus (Arkansas): 4:27.44
Lindon Victor Quotes
On his victory:
"Georgia's (Marcel) Uibo is a good champion, he didn't give up his record easy. I had to produce a PR to beat it. He's a great competitor."
On winning the Decathlon in record fashion:
"I think I gave up the collegiate record in the 1,500. I started cramping up and I just stopped running. For me, I just wanted to finish because I was cramping. I didn't know if I was going to finish or not."
Heptahlon
SEC Champion: Erica Bougard, Mississippi State
Erica Bougard of Mississippi State repeated as the SEC heptathlon champion for a second consecutive year with a total score of 6,170 points. In doing so, Bougard became the first repeat SEC heptathlon winner since former Arkansas standout GiGi Miller accomplished the feat in 2000 and 2001, while her point total of 6,170 is the second highest nationally this season and second-best in SEC Championship history. Bougard finished 194 points better than second place finisher Annie Kunz of Texas A&M (5,976 points). Arkansas teammates Payton Stumbaugh (5,955 points), Taliyah Brooks (5,855 points) and Alex Gochenour (5,804 points) round out the top five, respectively.
Below are the event winners:
• 100m - Alex Gochenour (Arkansas): 12.98
• Long Jump - Erica Bougard (Mississippi State): 1.84m (6-0.5)
• Shot Put - Shaina Burns (Texas A&M): 13.65m (44-9.5)
• 200m - Kelsey Herman (Arkansas): 23.57
• Long Jump - Taliyah Brooks (Arkansas): 6.29m (20-7.75)
• Javelin - Annie Kunz (Texas A&M): 39.77m (130-5)
• 800m - Erica Bougard (Mississippi State): 2:14.67
Erica Bougard Quotes
On winning another SEC Championship:
"It actually feels great. It's a back-to-back win for me. I still hold the record for the [SEC] heptathlon, which is exciting. It feels great to get the win."
On first heptathlon of the season:
"I thought it would be tougher than it was, but I really had to push myself because I wasn't in the faster heats. Being in the slower heats meant I had to push myself, and I was really competing against myself."
Men's Steeplechase
SEC Champion: Franklin Tonui, Arkansas
In the final event of day two at the 2016 SEC Outdoor Championships, Arkansas' Frankin Tonui claimed the title in the men's steeplechase with a winning time of 8:39.82 to give the Razorbacks a sweep of the men's and women's steeplechase events. Tonui's time marked the second-fastest at the SEC Outdoor Championship in the last eight years. The win gives Arkansas three consecutive men's steeplechase titles, as former standout Stanley Kebenei won the crown in 2014 and 2015. Kebenei's teammate Cale Wallace placed third with a time of 8:41.47, followed by MJ Erb of Ole Miss (8:43.06), Reilly Shaw of Auburn (8:47.81) and Sam Dickerson of Missouri (8:52.50).
Women's Steeplechase
SEC Champion: Jessica Kamilos, Arkansas
Arkansas senior Jessica Kamilos recorded a new Sam Bailey Stadium and SEC Outdoor Championship record of 9:48.16 to repeat as the women's steeplechase SEC Champion in the penultimate event on Friday night. Kamilos' time also marked the third-best mark in Division I this season. Arkansas has now claimed four straight women's steeplechase titles and has won 10 of the 16 SEC titles in the event which began in 2001. Kamilos took the lead early in the race and cruised to the win, beating second place finisher Cornelia Griesche of Mississippi State by three-and-a-half seconds (9:51.66). Devin Clark of Arkansas placed third with a time of 9:54.83, which set an new American Junior record. Rounding out the top five was Alabama's Hannah Waggoner, whose time of 10:04.69 was second-fastest in school history, and Mississippi State's Antonia Hehr (10:06.06), respectively.
Jessica Kamilos Quotes
On winning the SEC and breaking a meet record:
"[Arkansas teammate] Devin [Clark] and I were saying how we're not going to be able to sleep tonight, even though we're going to need to for the 5K tomorrow. It's really special breaking Grace Heymsfield's meet record. She [Grace] was an amazing athlete and it's just such an honor to be able to be running just as good as her."
Men's Javelin
SEC Champion: Ioannis Kyriazis, Texas A&M
It only took one throw of the javelin for Texas A&M sophomore Ioannis Kyriazis to defend his SEC crown. Kyriazis' opening toss of 78.24m (256-8) set a new Sam Bailey Stadium record as he became the first SEC Outdoor repeat champion since Georgia's Brian Moore achieved the feat in 2010 and 2011. It also marked the third time in the last four years that Texas A&M has claimed the javelin championship. Reinhard Van Zyl of Missouri finished second with a throw of 75.91m (249-0) and was followed by Mississippi State's Curtis Thompson (71.82m/235-7), South Carolina's Kaleb Zuidema (71.07m/233-2) and Texas A&M's Sam Hardin (70.01m/229-8), respectively.
Ioannis Kyriazis Quotes
On defending SEC title in the javelin:
"It's pretty exciting to defend my title. I expected to throw over 250 feet, but I was a little worried before the meet since I haven't thrown since the Texas Relays in early April."
On winning the event on just one throw:
"I was ready to throw farther today, but coming off my injury and my elbow bothering me a little we decided to stop. I've been practicing, but haven't thrown for a while. So, coming out here and throwing again was really amazing."
Men's Long Jump
SEC Champion: Jarrion Lawson, Arkansas
Arkansas senior Jarrion Lawson won the men's long jump title, recording the sixth Arkansas long jump title in the last nine years. The two-time NCAA indoor long jump champion claimed his second SEC title of this year with a first-round effort of 7.91m (25-11.5). Lawson also won this year's NCAA Indoor title in the long jump and the indoor SEC championships. Texas A&M sophomore Will Williams earned the runner-up title with a first-round jump of 7.82m (25-8). Florida sophomore KeAndre Bates placed third with a first-round leap of 7.78m (25-6.25). Missouri sophomore John Warren finished fourth with a third-round jump of 7.58m (24-10.5). Arkansas junior Andreas Trajkovski rounded out the top five with a fifth-round effort of 7.48m (24-6.5).
Jarrion Lawson Quotes
On winning an SEC title:
"I've never been an SEC Champion until my senior year and to go out as the indoor and outdoor champion, I'm just so grateful and give all thanks to God. I wasn't as pleased with my jumps today, but a win is a win so I'll take it. I scooted back to a new approach after indoor, so this meet was really my first time actually really jumping. It was a good test. For regionals I should be able to go out there and put out a good mark on my first jump and go to nationals and really compete."
Women's Shot Put
SEC Champion: Raven Saunders, Ole Miss
Ole Miss sophomore Raven Saunders used an SEC record toss of 18.58m (60-11.5) to win the SEC shot put championship, becoming the first Rebel in program history to claim the honor at the SEC Outdoor Championships. She is also the first female in SEC history to record a throw of 60 or more feet. Saunders' mark bettered the former record of 59-2.75 feet, which was set in 2009 by Florida's Mariam Kevkhishvili. Saunders, who actually surpassed the 60-feet mark on three seperate throws, achieved the winning mark on her sixth and final throw of the night. Tennessee's Cassie Wertman finished second in the event with a throw of 17.17m (56-4), followed by Auburn teammates Valentina Muzaric (16.92m/55-6.25) and Rachel Dincoff (16.83m/55-2.75). Florida's Lloydricia Cameron rounded out the top five (16.83m/55-2.75).
Raven Saunders Quotes
On winning the shot put:
"Mission accomplished in the shot. I still have one more event to go (discus), so I'm not done yet."
On throwing farther each attempt of the finals:
"Basically, it was about going for it and trying to get as much as I possibly could each throw. Going after one technical thing after another to see what I could squeeze out."
On winning indoor and outdoor SEC shot put titles this year:
"It feels great. I'm on a roll so I look forward to continuing that in the future, as long as I keep working and stay healthy."
Women's Javelin Throw
SEC Champion: Maggie Malone, Texas A&M
Texas A&M senior Maggie Malone captured the women's javelin SEC title, becoming the first Texas A&M athlete to win an SEC title in the event. Malone's third attempt traveled a distance 59.50m (195-2) which was the second-best throw in the event at an SEC championship. The only person to throw longer at a league championships came when Florida's Laverne Eve used a record-setting toss of 204-9 to capture the 1987 SEC championship. Florida's Marija Vucenovic, who was the 2013 SEC champion in the javelin, placed second with a throw of 57.81m (189-9), followed by third-place finisher Rebekah Wales of LSU (55.04m/180-7). Audrey Malone of Texas A&M placed fourth (54.57m/179-0) and Maria Jiminez of Tennessee (51.23m/168-1) rounded out the top five, respectively.
Maggie Malone Quotes
On her performance:
"It was a really good day. I'm happy with my performance, but wanted to improve on the 198-0 I threw earlier this season. I'm still chasing the standard for the Olympics as well."
On breaking an SEC Championship record in the event:
"It was cool to break the meet record (set in 2014 by Florida's Fawn Miller, who won the NCAA title that year). Hopefully I can follow in her footsteps and win the NCAA title."
Women's Long Jump
SEC Champion: Quanesha Burks
Alabama junior Quanesha Burks defended her SEC Championship long jump title, recording a season-best leap of 6.77m (22-2.5). Burks, who now owns the entirety of Alabama's all-time top-10 long jump marks, also claimed the 2015 championship in the event before snagging the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships title. Burks also won this year's indoor NCAA title in the long jump and the indoor SEC Championships. In all, Burks has won six consecutive collegiate postseason titles (2015 SEC Outdoor, 2015 NCAA Regional, 2015 NCAA Outdoor, 2016 SEC Indoor, 2016 NCAA Indoor and 2016 SEC Outdoor). Kentucky junior Sha'Keela Saunders claimed the runner-up title with a sixth-round jump of 6.61m (21-8.75). Georgia senior Chanice Porter finished third after recording a season-best 6.60m (21-8) on her first jump of the day. Porter's teammate sophomore Keturah Orji finished fourth in the event with a leap of 6.48m (21-3.75). Tennessee's Cidaea' Woods finished fifth with a leap of 6.39m (20-11.75).
Quanesha Burks Quotes
On hitting her season high on her second jump:
"It felt good just to get it in on my second jump. I thought, `alright, we're going to have a great day today.' Usually I get it in on my last or second-to-last jump."
On winning the SEC title and moving forward:
"I'm thankful for today's effort. This was the first day I was able to get it going on the first run. We're focusing on qualifying for nationals and just get one jump in at NCAA Regionals. The plan is go down to Regionals, get a jump in and rest for nationals."
Men's Shot Put
SEC Champion: Ashinia Miller, Georgia
With a toss of 19.67m (64-6.5) Georgia's Ashinia Miller claimed the 2016 Southeastern Conference Shot Put championship. In doing so, he sweeps both the indoor and outdoor conference crowns while also becoming the first Georgia athlete to win the event since Israel Machovec captured the title in 2010. The Bulldogs finished 1-2 in the event as fellow teammate Denzel Comenentia placed second overall with a toss of 19.53m (64-1). Comenentia actually took the lead from Miller with his fourth toss of the day, but Miller responded with his championship-winning toss on his very next throw. Both athletes fouled on their sixth and final attempt. Alabama's Kord Ferguson placed third with a mark of 19.05m (62-6), followed by South Carolina's Josh Awotunde (18.81m/61-8.5) and Alabama's Kyle Felpel (19.05m/61-5).
Ashinia Miller Quotes
On sweeping the SEC shot put titles:
"I am excited to win this title and sweep the SEC my last year. I have decided to not worry about marks and just go back to the way I competed growing up in Jamaica, going out and trying to win the competition. I am happy what this means for my team and being a captain, I take that as a responsibility to set a precedent and an example so I'm glad it worked out like it did. It was also fun going back and forth with Denzel (Comenentia), competing hard against a guy I train with every day."
THURSDAY, MAY 11
Men's Hammer Throw
SEC Champion: Anders Eriksson, Florida
Florida freshman Anders Eriksson claimed the men's hammer throw championship in the final event of day one. Eriksson's fifth toss (out of six total) traveled a distance of 69.62m (228-5 feet), which was the longest winning throw since 2010. With the victory, Eriksson became the third athlete from Florida in the last five years to claim the hammer throw title. Eriksson's toss was the best winning mark in the event since 2010. He bettered two-time defending SEC champion Alex Porsanidis of Georgia, who finished second with a throw of 68.68m (225-4). Dempsey McGuigan of Ole Miss placed third (68.55m/224-11), followed by Alabama's Elias Hakansson (68.46m/224-7) and Georgia's Denzel Comenentia (68.24m/223-11).
Anders Eriksson Quotes
On achieving something this great so early in his collegiate career:
"It's a really good feeling. Had a pretty good season coming in (to tonight), ranked No. 1 (in the SEC). It's always good to finish first in a meet like this. To perform well on such a long day, after all the delays, I'm really happy with that."
On what it was like facing the elite-level competition he saw tonight:
"I always have big goals, so getting used to big competitions is good. I was expecting this. I know there's a lot of good guys in the SEC. It feels good to perform well under those kind of circumstances."
Men's 10,000 Meters
SEC Champion: Jacob Thompson, Kentucky
The men's 10,000 meters began ominously when approximately 1,200 meters into the race there was a general power outage in the area that caused a nearly 35-minute delay. After power was restored, Kentucky sophomore Jacob Thompson used a strong finish over the final two laps to claim the SEC title in a winning time of 29:47.89. In doing so, Thompson became the first UK runner since 1981 to win the 10,000 and the third Wildcat to achieve the feat, joining Tom Burridge (1979) and Mark Nenow (1980 and 1981). Alabama's Antibahs Kosgei, who claimed the 2015 SEC men's cross country crown, finished second with a time of 29:49.16. Arkansas' Gabe Gonzalez (29:50.01) placed third, followed by Ryan Walling of Ole Miss (29:52.82) and Andrew Ronoh of Arkansas (29:53:93).
Jacob Thompson Quotes
On dealing with the race being stopped three laps in due to a power outage:
"I thought coming into this I'd been running track for a long time so you think you've seen everything, but then I can't say I've ever had a power outage and had to stop the race three laps in. But like I said I've been doing this for a while so I was able to keep my cool. The race is going to go on at some point so 10k is a long way to go. We wanted to keep it as relaxed as possible and have a hard finish."
On winning his first SEC Championship:
"It was really important to me to get the first SEC Championship win. I was fourth in cross country, I ended up second in the 5k indoors and fifth in the 3k indoor so I've been knocking at the door. This is a big checkmark for me. Something I really wanted to do and I executed it perfectly."
Women's 10,000 Meters
SEC Champion: Chelsea Blaase, Tennessee
Tennessee's Chelsea Blaase claimed the third SEC title of her junior year as she won the women's 10,000 meters with a time of 34:00.17 on a rainy Thursday night. Despite the weather, Blaase's time was the fifth-best winning mark in SEC Championships history. Blaase stayed with the front pack and took the lead midway through the race, finishing nearly eight seconds ahead of second-place finisher Emily Bean of Ole Miss (34:08.16). Arkansas' Valerie Reina finished third in a time of 34:13.11, followed by Missouri's Jamie Kempfer (34:13.68) and Texas A&M's Karis Jochen (34:20.67). Blaase became only the second Tennessee runner to claim the 10,000 championship, joining Liz Costello who won it in 2011.
Chelsea Blaase Quotes
On winning the women's 10K:
"It was a lot of fun. I just stayed relaxed and had fun with it and listened to my coaches the whole time. I just rode along for the ride, waited until I felt like I was ready to go and then took it and never looked back."
On how she stayed prepared despite the weather:
"It was not that bad. They started right on time surprisingly and they ran it really well. The officials were super nice. (During the rain delays) we just kind of hung out and I did everything I needed to do. I did not have any worries or thoughts. I just did not think about rain delays because I knew everyone wanted to get it done too. I did not have to worry about anything. It went really smooth."
Women's Hammer Prelims & Finals
SEC Champion: Beckie Famurewa, Kentucky
Kentucky's Beckie Famurewa claimed the first individual crown at the 2016 SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, capturing the Women's Hammer Throw title on Thursday night. Famurewa, who also won the SEC Weight Throw at the indoor championships in late February, won the outdoor crown with a toss of 210-01 feet - the second-best winning distance since 2007. Famurewa finished second in last year's outdoor championship on her way to earning the Wildcats' first Hammer Throw SEC championship in program history in 2016. Georgia's Shelby Ashe (209-03) finished in second by less than a foot. Alabama's Danielle McConnel (196-03) was third, followed by Florida's Jayla Bostic (194-11) and Georgia's Asianna Covington (192-08).
Beckie Famurewa Quotes
On the winning throw:
"I knew I had really strong competition so my coach told me to let one fly on the first one and that's kind of what happened. I wasn't able to put one together for the other throws, but I'm glad I threw the first one that far."
On winning the SEC hammer throw title as a senior after winning the weight throw indoors:
"It's been good, it feels really good. I always said I wasn't a hammer thrower, I was more of a discus thrower, but I think this has kind of solidified the fact that I'm turning into a hammer thrower so it's exciting."
