YOU ALWAYS HOPE that the concluding NCAA 4×4 involves contenders in an as-yet undecided team title race. It makes an already typically thrilling race that much more so. Happily, the final men’s event was one of those instances.
USC had the lead going in with 40 points, followed by the SEC trio of Auburn (35), Arkansas (34) and Texas A&M (33). All but Auburn had squads in the baton race and a chance to claim the trophy. The Trojans needed 4th or better to clinch it; anything less would give the Hogs and Aggies a shot. The T&FN formchart had A&M on top, followed by South Florida, Florida and Arkansas, with USC 7th.
Not insignificant was the fact that USC had won March’s NCAA Indoor, while Arkansas had been knocked off the track in a wild final lap. While it didn’t appear either team had the requisite horses to challenge A&M or USF this time, that history still added some extra buzz.
Surprise finalist Alabama, running strongly from lane 9 with Donald Chiyangwa (45.44), got the stick passed first, ahead of A&M’s Hossam Hatib (45.69). South Florida (46.90) and USC (47.35) brought up the rear.
Things changed quickly on the second leg as the Bulls’ Alexavier Monfries — who only ran the relays for his team — saw the work he had to do and scorched a stunning 44.10, the fastest leg of the meet. That brought USF up to 3rd at 1:31.00, behind A&M with 1:30.84 (Cutler Zamzow 45.15, taking over at the break) and Iowa (1:30.92), which got a blistering 44.37 from Zidane Brown. The top 6 teams were within less than a half-second, with USC still in 9th despite a 45.15 from Max Thomas — who had been 2nd in the 100 and 6th in the 200.
With a superior exchange, Iowa took the lead at first on the 3rd leg (Josh Pugh), but the Aggies and Bulls stormed back ahead on the homestretch, with Kimar Farquharson (45.29) holding off USF’s Corey Ottey (45.19). The Gators closed to 3rd (2:16.40) carried by Rios Prude (44.85). Arkansas and Iowa followed just a few 100ths back.
On the anchor, it became apparent that despite a 44.52 by William Jones, the Trojans weren’t going to get more than a point (8th) out of the race. Justin Braun sprinted into the lead for the Gators, but into the homestretch, A&M’s Auhmad Robinson — known for catching fire with the stick — moved ahead. But South Florida’s Gabriel Moronta (44.23) had one more move. He surged ahead in the final 30m and Robinson (44.60) could not answer.
USF finished a disappointing 14th in the team race, but had its signature win in a collegiate-leading 3:00.42. A&M’s 8 points (3:00.73) and USC’s single marker (3:03.18) forged a tie and a shared trophy for the two powerhouse programs. The Trojans, now with 27 titles in outdoor meet history, hadn’t topped the podium since ’76. A&M won for the fifth time and first since ’13, when they also tied — with Florida that year.
Arkansas, in the mix the whole way but never taking the lead, finished 3rd (3:01.59) and a single point back in the standings.
“It was definitely a good way to go out, winning the 4×4,” said Moronta, who was DQed in the 400 after crossing the line 2nd (allowing USC’s Jones to get 2 more important points). “It wasn’t what we expected in the 400, but we just move on.”
MEN’S 4 x 400 RESULTS
FINAL (June 13)
1. South Florida 3:00.42
(Devontie Archer 46.90, Alexavier Monfries 44.10, Corey Ottey 45.19, Gabriel Moronta’ 44.23);
2. Texas A&M 3:00.73
(Hossam Hatib’ 45.69, Cutler Zamzow 45.15, Kimar Farquharson’ 45.29, Auhmad Robinson 44.60);
3. Arkansas 3:01.59
(TJ Tomlyanovich 46.19, Steven McElroy 45.01, Jonah Vigil 45.25, Jaden Smith’ 45.14);
4. Iowa 3:01.61
(Landon Fontenot 46.55, Zidane Brown 44.37, Josh Pugh 45.54, Terrick Johnson 45.15);
5. Florida 3:01.88
(Ashton Schwartzman 46.55, Reheem Hayles 45.00, Rios Prude 44.85, Justin Braun 45.48);
6. Alabama 3:02.17
(Donald Chiyangwa’ 45.44, Oussama El Bouchayby’ 45.68, Peter Diebold 46.44, Samuel Ogazi’ 44.61);
7. BYU 3:02.51
(Trey Jackson 46.29, Eli Hazlett 45.04, Jonah Heimuli 45.72, Josh Taylor 45.46);
8. USC 3:03.18
(Jacob Andrews 47.35, Max Thomas 45.15, Jaelen Knox 46.16, William Jones 44.52);
9. Penn State 3:03.85
(Handal Roban’ 46.50, James Onwuka 45.48, Max DeAngelo 46.38, Jake Palermo 45.49).
SEMIS (June 11)
I–1. Arkansas 3:02.53; 2. Iowa 3:03.14; 3. Duke 3:04.28; 4. Georgia 3:04.71; 5. North Carolina A&T 3:05.77; 6. Texas Tech 3:06.02; 7. Wichita State 3:10.61;… dq—Princeton.
II–1. USC 3:02.76 (Jones 44.22); 2. Penn State 3:03.39; 3. South Florida 3:03.54; 4. Arizona State 3:04.00 (Davis 44.37); 5. Texas 3:04.15; 6. Ohio State 3:04.61; 7. Navy 3:06.81; 8. Baylor 3:09.63.
III–1. Texas A&M 3:03.09 (Robinson 44.58); 2. Alabama 3:03.58; 3. Florida 3:03.69; 4. BYU 3:03.83; 5. LSU 3:04.01; 6. Houston 3:04.36; 7. TCU 3:05.16; 8. Howard 3:08.92.
