OU Track and Field Nationals Qualifiers.

[Ruprecht]

Just a heads up on OU T&F....

OU had six men and six women qualify in individual events for the NCAA championships in Austin.

OU also had one men's relay (4x400) and one women's relay (4x100m) who made the cut and will be in Austin.

Men:

Nakaoli Williams- Long Jump
Vernon Turner- High Jump
Brandon Green- Triple Jump
Richard Johnson- 400m
Zarik Brown- 400m
Josh Bour- 200m

Women:

Kennedy Blackmon 100m, 200m
Daneesha Davidson 400m IH
Ashtoni Warner 400m IH
Kassidy Gallaher- Hammer
Symone Washington- Long Jump
Olivia Luekins- Pole Vault

Probably Vernon Turner is the only one with a realistic chance to win a national championship, however top 8 gets All American and there are a handful of athletes on the list that have a shot at top 8.

OUr track teams usually are not very strong but this is a pretty good group that made it to Austin. Hopefully we can show up in the team score in both men's and women's which is pretty good for us.

[Ruprecht]

Just wanted to add that OU's top female heptathlete and top male decathlete qualified for NCAAs.

We have 17 total athletes who made it (including relay athletes). A really, really good contingent for OU.

[61Sooner]

Track & Field faces a big challenge going to the SEC. Lately though we seem to be putting more across-the-board better talent on our teams. Going to need a load of sprinters/hurdlers to keep up the rest of the SEC. Our field events have been a strong point for the past few years.

[Ruprecht]

Track & Field faces a big challenge going to the SEC. Lately though we seem to be putting more across-the-board better talent on our teams. Going to need a load of sprinters/hurdlers to keep up the rest of the SEC. Our field events have been a strong point for the past few years.

I really don't think we are going to be able to compete in the SEC unless OU pulls some famous coach in here like they did with Martin Smith a while back. That was kind of a fluke to begin with and he didn't stay.

It's just tough to recruit to this area for Track and Field against places that have warmer winter weather. Arkansas being the one exception. They are the "Oklahoma football" of the Track and Field world. A program that probably shouldn't have happened but did due to one great coach. And of course Oregon is the "Blue Blood" of Track and Field.

For OU we just need to have a few individuals shine to hype the program locally. Winning team championships isn't really necessary because nobody around here gives a shit really. Look at OSU. They have a top three cross country program and have won NCs... and they host the freaking national championships on their multi million dollar running course and nobody gives a shit. Not even their own fans. I bet not one in 100 Oklahomans are aware of that program or that they host the NCs.

[Ruprecht]

Update.

Nikaoli Williams came in sixth in the Long Jump to qualify for All American status.

Our two 400 meter runners did not get through to the finals. Our 200 meter guy didn't make it either.

4X400 was first non qualifier. Almost got there.

Decathlete is in 15th place at the mid point of the competition.

Vernon Turner, HJ and Brandon Green, TJ have yet to compete. Turner has a chance to bring home a natty and Green has a chance at AA.

Women's competition starts today... Thursday 6/8.

[Ruprecht]

Kennedy Blackmon advances in women's 100m and 200m. Nobody else got through to the finals or placed in the top eight in events that are completed.

[LakelandSooner]

I went to OU and have been surrounded by OU sports my whole life and I've never been to any track event.

[SoonerAviator]

I went to OU and have been surrounded by OU sports my whole life and I've never been to any track event.

Nor did 99% of the rest of the student population or fan base. It's not as easy to watch spectator sport. They were in the process of building the nice track and field complex in the early 00's though when they built the new indoor football facility.

[Ruprecht]

I went to OU and have been surrounded by OU sports my whole life and I've never been to any track event.

And this means exactly what?

I never went to a golf match at OU but I still like reading about how they do.

But I suppose track and field is like anything else. It's hard to appreciate their talent unless you've tried doing it yourself. But that's the great thing about it. You CAN measure yourself against anybody in the world. It's about the only sport where you can do that. Just go to your local track and run a 400 meters or enter a masters (age group) track meet. High Jump or throw the shot, or do the hurdles. See how you stack up against the best.

In the meantime, keep checking this thread so we can see if Vernon Turner wins HJ natty. OU has had only nine national individual outdoor championships in it's history. This is a big deal. Even if it isn't to you.

[LakelandSooner]

And this means exactly what?

I never went to a golf match at OU but I still like reading about how they do.

But I suppose track and field is like anything else. It's hard to appreciate their talent unless you've tried doing it yourself. But that's the great thing about it. You CAN measure yourself against anybody in the world. It's about the only sport where you can do that. Just go to your local track and run a 400 meters or enter a masters (age group) track meet. High Jump or throw the shot, or do the hurdles. See how you stack up against the best.

In the meantime, keep checking this thread so we can see if Vernon Turner wins HJ natty. OU has had only nine national individual outdoor championships in it's history. This is a big deal. Even if it isn't to you.

I actually played golf with most of the OU golf team when I was there. I was a sports guy. Boxed, played juco baseball (for 1 year) and played golf. Still don't remember track ever coming up in a conversation

[boomersooner52]

I actually played golf with most of the OU golf team when I was there. I was a sports guy. Boxed, played juco baseball (for 1 year) and played golf. Still don't remember track ever coming up in a conversation

So, you played the same course as the golf team, got beat up a lot and played intramural baseball in jc. Got it.

[Ruprecht]

I actually played golf with most of the OU golf team when I was there. I was a sports guy. Boxed, played juco baseball (for 1 year) and played golf. Still don't remember track ever coming up in a conversation

Well there IS an obscure little event called the Olympic Track and Field Meet. Perhaps you've heard of that?

[LakelandSooner]

So, you played the same course as the golf team, got beat up a lot and played intramural baseball in jc. Got it.

Pretty much

[LakelandSooner]

Well there IS an obscure little event called the Olympic Track and Field Meet. Perhaps you've heard of that?

Never heard of it. Is this "Olympics" thing new?

[Ruprecht]

Welp, men's meet is over. Vernon Turner got second. He tied the winner for height but lost on misses. Jumped 7-5.25. OU men's team comes in 22nd. Two All Americans.

Women to finish Saturday. Our heptathlete sits in fifth place after day one. We haven't had any other placers or anyone make the finals in women's so she is all we have left. Disappointed that our pole vaulter didn't place.

[61Sooner]

Isn't a sprinter on the women's team in the finals for the 100 and 200?

[Ruprecht]

Isn't a sprinter on the women's team in the finals for the 100 and 200?

Yes, Kennedy Blackmon is in those two finals. I stand corrected. We could end up with two AAs on the women's side.

[Ruprecht]

Blackmon stuns the field. Gets second in 100m. 10.87 seconds. Perhaps that time might resonate with football fans who are familiar with wide receiver speed.

Freshman Pipi Lotta Enok shocking everyone in the heptathlon. Fifth after day one. Now leads with one event to go. 800meters. Just a freshman.

[Ruprecht]

Pippi Enok wins the heptathlon and sets national collegiate points record for the season.

I know Lakeland and maybe his OU golf buddies don't give a shit... but this is an incredible performance by a freshman who wasn't considered a favorite.

OU women finish #12 on the strength of two All Americans.

[SoonernVolved]

https://soonersports.com/news/2023/6/11/track-and-field-pippi-lotta-enok-crowned-national-champion

AUSTIN, Texas - Pippi Lotta Enok wrapped up a dominating season as the heptathlon national champion Saturday at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Lotta Enok finished with 6,165 points, tallying a new school record. She locked in four new personal records in high jump, shot put, 200-meter dash and 800-meter run. With the win, she becomes the first Sooner to win a multis title.

Senior Kennedy Blackmon took silver and first team All-America honors in the 100-meter dash to claim a season-best time at 10.87. She returned to the track to run in the 200-meter dash and crossed the line at 22.53 for second team All-America honors.

Vernon Turner opened day three by finishing his OU career with a second-place finish, making him a four-time first team NCAA Outdoor All-American. He leaves his time as a Sooner with five Big 12 titles, a national title and as a school-record holder. He cleared 7-5.25 (2.27m) to take silver.

On the other side of a career, freshman Brandon Green Jr. added second team All-American to his resume after leaping 52-8.25 (16.06m) in triple jump and moved to the No. 7 distance in OU history.

[61Sooner]

Looks like Vernon Turner is going to the worlds after finishing 3rd in the USTF championships.in the high jump.