NCAA Track Champions Defend Titles
Georgia Women and Arkansas Men Successfully Defend NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Titles
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The Georgia Bulldogs women and Arkansas Razorbacks men defended their NCAA outdoor track and field championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, capping a record-shattering weekend. Georgia finished with 50 points to win the women's title, while Arkansas claimed the men's crown with 56 points, according to AP News.
Georgia became just the fifth school in NCAA history to win back-to-back women's outdoor titles. Arkansas swept both the indoor and outdoor men's championships in the same year. Both programs also pulled off the rare indoor/outdoor double in 2026, cementing SEC dominance at the top of collegiate track and field.
Hodge and Oakley Shatter Records to Carry Georgia
Georgia redshirt freshman Adaejah Hodge was the star of the women's meet. She won the 200-meter dash in 21.68 seconds, an NCAA record. She had already set a collegiate record of 10.63 seconds in the 100-meter semifinals on Thursday, per AP News.
Senior Dejanea Oakley added a collegiate record of her own, winning the 400 meters in 48.79 seconds. "I can't even put into words the feeling of running 48 seconds," Oakley said. "It was like everything I hoped it would be and more," she told Jamaica Observer.
Arkansas Men Win on Depth, Not Star Power
The Arkansas men finished with 56 points, well clear of Georgia (49 points) and Tennessee (46 points). Notably, the Razorbacks won without a single individual event title. They piled up points through second- and third-place finishes, showing elite team depth, according to AP News.
First-year head coach Doug Case called the title a deeply meaningful moment. "This program has such a rich history, and getting back to the top of the podium outdoors means everything to these kids and this university," Case said, per Yahoo Sports.
Arkansas' Jallow-Lockhart Runs Record 800, Anchors Historic Relay
Arkansas junior Sanu Jallow-Lockhart had a massive night. She won the women's 800 meters in a collegiate record of 1:56.85. She then anchored the Arkansas 4x400-meter relay team to a time of 3:18.88 — the second-fastest in history — according to AP News.
The performance underlined how much Arkansas contributed to both women's and men's standings. Even though Georgia took the women's team title, Arkansas finished third with 38 points. Florida came in second at 43 points, keeping the entire top three in the SEC.
5,000-Meter Finish Ends in Disqualification Controversy
Alabama's Doris Lemngole initially appeared to win the women's 5,000 meters in 15:11.71. But officials disqualified her after ruling she took too many steps over the inside lane line, a violation under NCAA rules. The gold was then awarded to New Mexico's Marion Jepngetich, who ran 15:13.01, per Yahoo Sports.
Alabama Athletics filed an official protest, arguing Lemngole's steps did not give her a competitive advantage. General news outlets and specialized track sites reported conflicting outcomes. The controversy became one of the most talked-about moments of the championship weekend, according to AP News.
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