Arkansas Razorbacks Women Win NCAA Track and Field Title
EUGENE, Oregon – The Arkansas Razorbacks women's track and field team delivered a historic performance at the 2024 NCAA Championships at Hayward Field, securing the team title with a total of 63 points, narrowly edging out Florida, who finished with 59 points. This victory marks the Razorbacks' ninth NCAA Championship for the women's team and the 51st overall national title for the Arkansas track and field programs.
Under the leadership of head coach Chris Johnson, in his inaugural year, the Razorback women achieved a remarkable sweep of both the indoor and outdoor NCAA Championships. This dual triumph underscores the strength and depth of the program, which continues to dominate collegiate track and field.
A standout moment from the championships was the unprecedented 1-2-3-4 finish in the 400 meters, a feat never before accomplished in NCAA history by any team, men’s or women’s. This incredible performance netted the Razorbacks 29 points in a single event, setting a new benchmark. Nickisha Pryce led the way, breaking the collegiate and Jamaican national records with a time of 48.89 seconds. She was followed by Kaylyn Brown, who matched the previous collegiate record of 49.13 seconds, Amber Anning, who finished third with 49.59 seconds, and Rosey Effiong, who rounded out the top four with a time of 49.72 seconds, placing her as the eighth-fastest collegiate performer of all time.
The climax of the championship came in the 4x400 meter relay, where the Arkansas team needed a top-two finish to secure the overall team title. The quartet delivered a spectacular performance, clocking a winning time of 3:17.96, which shattered the collegiate record they had set earlier in the season. This result ensured the Razorbacks’ triumph over Florida, sealing their place as the top team in the nation.
Florida's impressive performance was highlighted by Parker Valby, who contributed significantly to their overall score of 59 points. Valby completed the distance double by winning the 10,000 meters on Thursday night and setting an absolute collegiate record of 14:52.18 to win the 5000-meter crown on Saturday. Additionally, Grace Stark added to Florida's tally by winning the 100-meter hurdles with a collegiate-leading time of 12.47 seconds.
In the team standings, Texas and Oregon were extremely close, with Texas finishing third with 40.5 points and Oregon fourth with 40 points. Ole Miss secured fifth place with 38 points, thanks in large part to McKenzie Long, who achieved a Triple Crown with victories in the 4×100, 100, and 200 meters (Arkansas Razorbacks) (Arkansas Razorbacks).
