By Linden Moore
For the first and second-ranked track and field men’s teams, Texas A&M and Florida, the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Wednesday and Saturday at Hayward Field, bring a possibility of déjà vu. The last time the two teams competed against each other, top-ranked Texas A&M beat Florida 46-45.5 at the NCAA Indoor Championships in March on a last-second win in the 4×400-meter relay.
“I expect this year to be another exciting finish,” said Florida Head Coach Mike Holloway. “If you’re a big-time track and field fan, or a casual track and field fan, get your popcorn and sit down beside your computer or your television and enjoy the competition.”
The competition for the outdoor title is going to be tight. According to Track and Field News, Florida is projected to beat Texas A&M 63-61.
“It all comes down to who hits it on this day, because there are teams in here that are very capable of winning this championship,” said Texas A&M head coach Pat Henry. “You have to be almost flawless to win. If we can get Mike’s group to slow down a little bit, we’ll be in business.”
Track and Field News has the two teams going head-to-head in four crucial events: the 400 hurdles, both the 4×100 and 4×400 relays, and the long jump.
“We’ve got a competitive group of guys with some age and youth spread out a little bit,” said Henry.
Holloway’s team is in similar position.
“We have to be at our best coming into these championships,” he added.
Even though their teams are atop in the national rankings, they recognize that they’re not the only contenders to win the championship.
“It’s not just about Texas A&M and Florida — if you look through the heat sheets of some of the races, there are a lot of great athletes in this meet,” Holloway said.
Syracuse’s Justyn Knight will run the 5,000 meters, but this time without Oregon star Edward Cheserek, who withdrew from the NCAA West Regional because of a back injury and is therefore unable to compete at NCAAs.
“It’s almost become a routine having Ed at the championships,” Knight said. “Just the way he runs, he separates himself from the group. He’s done a lot for this sport— he got to where we are today and pushed us to get to the level we’re at right now.”
Knight, who ran the world’s fastest 5,000 meters at the Peyton Jordan Invitational in May with a time of 13 minutes, 17.51 seconds, expects it to be a tough field.
“I think all the distance events are wide open even if Ed was here,” he said. “I think my expectations would stay the same. It’s not going to be a breeze.”
Reigning NCAA discus champion Nebraska Nicholas Percy comes into this week ranked fourth after being undefeated in eight regular season meets this year. Percy won the title last year after being ranked ninth coming into the meet.
“Anything can happen,” Percy said. “It just depends on who’s on point, who’s ready and who’s hungry enough to go for it.”
