USC steals women's NCAA track and field title with wild relay finish

[Awsi Dooger]

To set the scene, Georgia led with 52 points but did not have a team in the final event, the 4 x 400 relay. Only USC with 43 points could swipe the title from Georgia. The relay victory is worth 10 points.

Kentucky was favored in the relay due to the presence of phenom and 2016 Olympian Sydney McLaughlin.

Anyway, you'll see what happens. It reminds me of a meaningful version of the UCC From the Depths of Hell relay from a couple of years ago.

Link to tweet

I didn't feel sorry for the Purdue anchor, given her potty mouthed immediate reaction after crossing the line.

Fight On

[More_Cowbell]

1. wow

My undergrad alma mater. Amazing. Georgia protested the incidental contact, but their claim was denied.

[ChrisTee]

2. I was at this all week. I had so much fun with the athletes.

This race was awesome. Thanks for putting this up. Friday and Saturday the rains came and by this time Saturday afternoon we were getting hail and it was pretty cold. I was in a heavy jacket.

[Awsi Dooger]

3. Here's the UCC From the Depths of Hell race that I mentioned in the OP

A more wild and fun version of Saturday's race, which is now being called, "USC from the Depths of Hell."

Obscure race but fantastic it was captured in full on video. The commentary is particularly superb:

[ProfessorGAC]

4. The Track Was Fun This Weekend

I watched some on Friday and a lot on Saturday and Sunday. There was some impressive stuff and some very exciting stuff.

[Awsi Dooger]

5. I really enjoyed it

I appreciate that Georgia places so much emphasis on the field events. Every year they get closer and closer. This year it nearly earned both championships.

On the track there were many great performances especially at 400 meters.

The poor Houston guy face planted on the final lap of the steeplechase but at least he went for the victory, which Houston desperately needed given the points breakdown.

BTW, in the pros we also had a Cuban who nearly long jumped 29 feet. He's the first guy in a quarter century who looks to have a chance at Mike Powell's record.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. Steeplechase

That was a giant bummer. He had that race in the bag.

29 feet is still amazing to me. I was a pretty good long jumper in HS and never got past 23 feet. To go another 6 feet?

We had no place to practice, so standing long jump to develop some explosion was all i could do. The meets were the practice for me. But, still there was no way i was finding another 6 feet from technique. MAYBE a foot.

[Awsi Dooger]

7. Steeplechase is my favorite race right now

Men or women, college or pro.

Well, mostly women, after the 1-2 finish for Coburn and Frerichs at the world championships last August.

So many permutations in that event, oddities that allow fluctuation from meet to meet and occasionally a surprise finish. With the American success from Jager and Coburn I think more top athletes will prioritize the event.

My dad was a 22 foot longer jumper in high school and likewise was amazed how far the top guys have taken the event. There's been a lull lately but with the Cuban guy and also Manyonga there have finally been some 28+ jumps recently.