AFTER JORDAN ANTHONY rushed to the 100 win from out in lane 9, another win from the edge of the track couldn’t possibly happen in the 200, right? Hold my baton, said Carli Makarawu of Kentucky.
The Wildcat junior — the ’24 JUCO champion for New Mexico JC and 6th-placer in the Paris Olympic final — made relatively easy work of the final from the boonies, getting out to a decent lead around the curve and holding on through the tape.
Makarawu’s time, 19.84, was a PR, and made him the No. 8 all-time collegiate performer. He fell to the ground postrace, pounding the Hayward Field track in an emotional celebration.
“I never thought I was going to win,” Makarawu said. He noted that his fellow Zimbabwean Olympic finalist and close friend Makanakaishe Charamba of Auburn had a better lane assignment in corridor 6. Charamba had dashed a wind-aided 19.79 at the East Regional and the fastest clocking in the semis, 19.94.
Now in the final, Charamba placed 2nd in 19.92, followed closely by USC’s Garrett Kaalund in 19.96.
“When I saw the lane draws yesterday, I said, ‘Omigod, I don’t know what I’m going to do,’” Makarawu said. “I’m not going to see anybody.”
But lots of prayer — he said that included a spontaneous session with God in the stadium bathroom — and a call with his parents convinced him all he had to do was run fast. Same as if he was in a better lane. He also credited the Oakleys he wore with electric-yellow frame and dark lenses, noting that they helped him forget about the competition and focus on his own race.
Makarawu knows his way around the 200. He also won at the NCAA Indoor this season. His time here puts him in rare air as the Zimbabwean recordholder, for now at least. Charamba had the standard and probably wants it back as both sprinters push each other through the prime of their careers.
“I was surprised to run that fast,” Makarawu said. “All I wanted was to win.”
Formchart favorite Anthony, doubling back from the century 45 minutes earlier, finished 4th at 20.01.
MEN’S 200 RESULTS
FINAL (June 13; wind +0.3)
1. *Carli Makarawu’ (Ky-Zim) 19.84 NR (8, =10 C);
2. Makanakaishe Charamba’ (Aub-Zim) 19.92 =PR;
3. *Garrett Kaalund (USC) 19.96;
4. **Jordan Anthony (Ar) 20.01;
5. *T’Mars McCallum (Tn) 20.16;
6. *Max Thomas (USC) 20.23;
7. **Xavier Butler (Tx) 20.39;
8. Abdul-Rasheed Saminu’ (SFl-Gha) 20.55;
9. *Cameron Miller (Pur) 20.56.
SEMIS (June 11)
I(0.4)–1. Kaalund 20.01; 2. Makarawu’ 20.14; 3. ***Jelani Watkins (LSU) 20.31; 4. *Mason Lawyer (WaSt) 20.67; 5. *Tristyn Flores (LBSt) 20.68; 6. Dario Matau’ (Aub-SA) 20.76; 7. **Eddie Nketia’ (USC-NZ) 21.08;… dnf—*Jamarion Stubbs (AlSt).
II(1.4)–1. McCallum 20.03; 2. Butler 20.12; 3. Saminu’ 20.26; 4. **Jaiden Reid’ (LSU-Cay) 20.27; 5. Kashie Crockett (TCU) 20.48; 6. **Tory Lanham (KC) 20.52; 7. ***Jalen Johnson (Clem) 20.72; 8. De’montray Callis (Bay) 20.84.
III(0.9)–1. Charamba’ 19.94; 2. Anthony 20.01; 3. Thomas 20.02 PR; 4. Miller 20.17; 5. *Cameron Tarver (SJSt) 20.55; 6. *Jaleel Croal’ (SFl-BVI) 20.58; 7. ***Brody Buffington (Ga) 20.58; 8. **Mikey McClain (IaSt) 20.79.
