YOU ALWAYS HOPE that the concluding NCAA 4×4 involves contenders in an as-yet undecided team title race. It makes an already typically thrilling race that much more so. Happily, the final men’s event was one of those instances.
USC had the lead going in with 40 points, followed by the SEC trio of Auburn (35), Arkansas (34) and Texas A&M (33). All but Auburn had squads in the baton race and a chance to claim the trophy. The Trojans needed 4th or better to clinch it; anything less would give the Hogs and Aggies a shot. The T&FN formchart had A&M on top, followed by South Florida, Florida and Arkansas, with USC 7th.
Not insignificant was the fact that USC had won March’s NCAA Indoor, while Arkansas had been knocked off the track in a wild final lap. While it didn’t appear either team had the requisite horses to challenge A&M or USF this time, that history still added some extra buzz.
Surprise finalist Alabama, running strongly from lane 9 with Donald Chiyangwa (45.44), got the stick passed first, ahead of A&M’s Hossam Hatib (45.69). South Florida (46.90) and USC (47.35) brought up the rear.
Things changed quickly on the second leg as the Bulls’ Alexavier Monfries — who only ran the relays for his team — saw the work he had to do and scorched a stunning 44.10, the fastest leg of the meet. That brought USF up to 3rd at 1:31.00, behind A&M with 1:30.84 (Cutler Zamzow 45.15, taking over at the break) and Iowa (1:30.92), which got a blistering 44.37 from Zidane Brown. The top 6 teams were within less than a half-second, with USC still in 9th despite a 45.15 from Max Thomas — who had been 2nd in the 100 and 6th in the 200.
With a superior exchange, Iowa took the lead at first on the 3rd leg (Josh Pugh), but the Aggies and Bulls stormed back ahead on the homestretch, with Kimar Farquharson (45.29) holding off USF’s Corey Ottey (45.19). The Gators closed to 3rd (2:16.40) carried by Rios Prude (44.85). Arkansas and Iowa followed just a few 100ths back.
On the anchor, it became apparent that despite a 44.52 by William Jones, the Trojans weren’t going to get more than a point (8th) out of the race. Justin Braun sprinted into the lead for the Gators, but into the homestretch, A&M’s Auhmad Robinson — known for catching fire with the stick — moved ahead. But South Florida’s Gabriel…
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