It was a busy week in the NCAA Circuit as the outdoor season swung into full action with notable competitions like the Texas Relays and Florida Relays, which witnessed a couple of World Leads (WL).
FLORIDA RELAYS
Favour Ashe got to compete in his first outdoor meet, his second overall in 2024 and instantly struck the Olympic standard by recording a fast WL of 9.99s, becoming the first man in the world this season to run a sub-10.
Adaobi Tabugbo consistently bettered her Personal Best (PB) in her third consecutive outing, registering a time of 13.06s over the 100m hurdles to take her heat. She returned for the final, placing 3rd overall in 13.08s.
Stephen Eloji went all out to a Season’s Best (SB) of 13.68s in the men’s 110m Hurdles, finishing 4th in the process behind Ja’Kobe Tharp who won in 13.46s from Darius Luff who posted an identical time.
BATTLE ON THE BAYOU
Favour Ofili blazed to her fastest time in all conditions as she won the women’s 100m with a time of 10.85s (+2.6m/s) ahead of Brianna Lyston (10.87s) and McKenzie Long (10.89s). This stunning performance came moments after she ran a terrific anchor leg for the Tiger Olympians that saw her come from 3rd place to 1st in 42.78s.
Tima Godbless churned out wind aided times of 11.14s and 23.16s to win her respective heats in the 100m and 200m.
Samuel Ogazi made a memorable NCAA outdoor debut by shattering his PB to win his heat in a strong 45.35, which was the 2nd fastest time overall in the competition. He defeated Kimar Farquharson who clocked 45.70s and Sean Burrell (46.19s). Compatriot, Dubem Amene clocked a 46.01s in his heat.
Godson Brume started his outdoor campaign over the 100m by running the fastest wind-legal time at the meet in 10.17s after previously running the 200m the day before where he clocked a time of 20.74s. He anchored the 4x100m to victory with a time of 39.14s.
Ezekiel Nathaniel clocked a SB of 49.57s to claim 2nd place in the men’s 400m hurdles behind Chris Robinson who ran a Meeting Record (MR) of 49.13s.
TEXAS RELAYS
Temitope Adeshina won the women’s High jump at the Texas Relays, clearing a height of 1.87m. She dominated the event and went on to attempt jumps at 1.93m, which weren’t successful. Cierra Allphin was 2nd with 1.83m, while Claire Lowrey was 3rd with 1.79m.
Justine Jimoh won the men’s High Jump B final by clearing a new Personal Best (PB) of 2.16m, edging Antwain Jones on countback. Hamid Ali was 3rd in 2.11m.
African Junior Champion, Grace Oshiokpu made place 5th in the women’s Triple Jump with a mark of 12.96m.
