Gators eat up competition, win 2022 NCAA Men's Title

Joseph Fahnbulleh leads the way to victory for Florida, capturing the 100m and 200m titles to help secure the team title for the Gators on Friday. Photo by Logan Hannigan-Downs

By Cassie Cole and Joe Zochert

Day three of the 2022 NCAA Championships at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon crowned individual and team champions on the men’s side.

Good Day for Gators

To say that the University of Florida had a good day three would be an understatement. The men’s team won the national team title after taking first place in three events on Friday.

Florida’s day started off with a second place finish in the 4x100m relay, which included sophomore Joseph Fahnbulleh. Fahnbulleh then went on to compete in the 100m and 200m, where he finished first in both events.

Fahnbulleh, nicknamed “Bullet” by his peers, ran a personal best of 10.00 in the 100m. He ran another personal best and collegiate lead of 19.83 in the 200m. For Fahnbulleh, Friday’s wins were a testament to his improved strength and confidence over the last year.

“A year ago I was still scared, a year ago I had something to prove,” said Fahnbulleh. “A year ago I was getting beat every meet by Terrance Laird and I was tired of it. Shoutout to Terrance—really good athlete.”

“This year I had something to prove—saying I’m still the best, I am still here, I have not left.”

For Fahnbulleh, Florida’s success at the NCAA Championships has been less about his own personal achievements and more about what he can do for the team. He explained that he felt motivated to leave his teammates with “something to hold onto” from this year’s championship.

“The program has given so much to me, I just wanted to give back,” Fahnbulleh said. “I was just happy that I could give that to them in the way that I can best.”

Fahnbulleh may have finished day three with two championship titles, but he knows that the work doesn’t stop there.

“It’s easy getting to the top, but it’s hard staying there,” said Fahnbulleh. “People want to beat you; you have to do that 1% extra to make sure that you don’t get beat.”

Florida wrapped up their stellar day of wins with first place in the 4x400m relay. The relay team, which already holds the collegiate record in the event, added a facility record and meet record to their accomplishments after finishing in 2:58.88.

Florida coach Mike Holloway knew before the relay that his team would win. “We’re the best team in the country,” he reminded his athletes. “I know the meet’s over, but let’s be the best team in the country.” 

The 4x400m relay team included 400m runner-up Champion Allison, who Holloway called “the glue” of the team. “Champion is an absolute fierce competitor,” he added. “He does everything you ask him to do.”

For Fahnbulleh and the rest of the Florida team, the NCAA team title is only the beginning of where the team will go.

“Just be humble and grateful you’re onto the next race,” said Fahnbulleh. “My mind is always on go.”

Bookend Titles

Kansas State’s Tejaswin Shankar won the men’s high jump after winning the title in 2018 as a freshman. The senior completed bookend titles for his collegiate career after clearing the height of 2.27m (7-5.25). Shankar outlasted Georgia’s Darius Carbin, who came in second with the height of 2.24m (7-4.25).

With Shankar’s collegiate career coming to a close on Friday, he holds the special distinction of winning the NCAA title at both the old Hayward Field and the newly-imagined facility.

Winning his second title four years after his first puts the achievement of being an NCAA champion into perspective

“Well, this is I feel like it means more, in 2018 I came I was like, Okay, well, I went to bed,” he said as he placed second in 2019 and 2021 in the high jump. “It didn't really sink in till like later next year when I got second.”

Following his collegiate success, Shankar hopes to compete for a spot on India’s national team at the World Championships despite still needing the qualifying standard of 2.33m.

If Shankar secures a spot on the team, he is looking forward to competing at Hayward Field once again.

“I think this is the most memorable place ever,” he said. “Every time I come into Oregon, it's just like a dream come true for me. It’s my favorite stadium in the United States. My favorite place to compete.”

Throwing Confidence

Claudio Romero of Virginia won the men’s discus with a winning throw of 66.17m (217-1). The junior came into the competition feeling unsure of how he would perform after finishing third in last year’s championships.

“This year was tough because I was going against the collegiate record holder, so I was kinda nervous,” said Romero. Cal’s Mykolas Alekna holds the collegiate record for the discus and finished in second with a close throw of 66.15m (217-0).

Romero was soon able to put his nerves at ease, however. His winning throw came on his second attempt of the competition, boosting his confidence for the rest of the event.

“I wasn’t sure if I was gonna be able to do it,” said Romero. “Came here, started throwing, started feeling confident.”

Romero, who grew up in Chile, is proud to represent his country at the NCAAs. He believes he is the first NCAA Champion that Chile has ever had. “It’s just a great feeling,” said Romero. “It’s a relief to be just good enough.”

4x100m Relay Upset

USC pulled off the upset in the 4x100m relay with a time of 38.49 over Florida, who finished in 38.52.

The Trojans came into this race with as their star sprinter Davonte Burnett is out with a hamstring injury.

“We're like, why not us?” said Brendon Stewart after this team win. “And no one really expected us to win because, you know, you got everybody ranked ahead of us.”

“We had no pressure on us. We trusted our training trusted each other mainly. We ran for Devonte today, so we're just going in here ready, ready to go to war.”

This USC Trojan’s 4x100m team also had success in the 4x400m relay with Johnnie Blockburger and Kasaun James.

James was confident in both relay teams that they could put together great performances in these title races.

“We put the pieces together and we said ‘you know, we can make it happen if we just believe in ourselves and believe in each other,’ and that's what we did,” said James about the relays.

Waskom’s Washington Win

Washington’s Joe Waskom won the 1500m final with a time of 3:45.58. The 1500 was a strong event for Washington, as Waskom was joined by fellow Huskies Luke Houser and Nathan Green.

“These boys are why I won today,” said Waskom, putting his arms around Houser and Green. “I believe in them, they believe in me. There’s a reason why there’s three of us out here today.”

Waskom credits much of his win on Friday to his team culture and friendship with his teammates. It all started in the waiting room, Waskom explained. Talking and laughing with his teammates calmed him down and prepared him for the upcoming race.

“I was relaxed, wasn’t even really thinking that much about the race at that point,” said Waskom. “They make me more confident.”

Although he had confidence, Waskom wasn’t planning on becoming a national champion this year.

“I thought I was gonna shoot for top five today and see what happens,” Waskom said “And I got to the last lap, I was feeling pretty good.”

“Pretty good” may not even begin to describe how Waskom was feeling from winning his race. After celebrating with his teammates, the sophomore could be heard yelling “I don’t believe it!” as he headed toward the recovery tent.

Immaculate Triple Jump

Chengetayi Mapaya won the men’s triple jump with a distance of 17.26m (56-7.5) for his second NCAA title in the event after winning in 2019.

Mapaya won a fantastic dual against Oregon’s Emmanuel Ihemejé, who placed second with a season best of 17.03m (55-10.5).

Mapaya was happy with the competition that Ihemejé brought as both got the Hayward crowd into the competition.

“It’s amazing, the energy is immaculate,” he said about his relationship with Ihemejé. “You know, you saw he’s loud. I'm loud. Got the crowd going and that's what it's about.”

“We have a good relationship. The two of us want to win on a win, you know, so he's just amazing. The two of us want to get it and we support each other you know, and you know, if you have beef, but it's good beef.”

Ihemejé also shares the same outlook as both let their results do the talking.

“Once, we are on the runway, it’s ‘me vs. you’,” Ihemejé said about his relationship with Mapaya. “He did a great job out there and congratulations to him.”

Chasing Goals

Ahmed Jaziri won the men’s 3000m steeplechase final on Friday with a time of 8:18.70, a personal best for the athlete and a collegiate lead. The Eastern Kentucky junior knew from the start that this was going to be his race.

“I came up here with a huge confidence, good energy, positive energy,” said Jaziri. He finished 10th in last year’s steeplechase championship but felt better coming into the race this year. “I said this time, this time is mine,” Jaziri added.

Jaziri took the lead in the bell lap as he moved around Montana State’s Duncan Hamilton. Hamilton took the lead from the beginning of the steeple and held his position into the final lap. He finished second with 8:18.88, two thousandths of a second before Georgetown’s Parker Stokes.

“I was happy because I made it fast and that’s what works best for me,” said Hamilton, who didn’t realize he finished second until he was headed to recovery. “I gave it everything I have and I closed well, but it wasn’t quite enough to get the [win].”

Hamilton was satisfied with his results, however. He came into the season with two goals: to make the NCAA Championship and to make the Worlds team. With the NCAAs under his belt, Hamilton saw the finals as a good experience overall.

“These guys are super fit, so super fun racing against them.  So glad to have people with me and I’m proud of the day,” he said.

Redemption for Cunningham and Edwards Jr.

Florida State’s Trey Cunningham won his first NCAA title with a personal record of 13.00 in the men’s 110m hurdles.

The senior competed at the NCAA Championships his freshmen year in 2018 when Florida’s Grant Holloway won his second NCAA title. Cunningham hadn’t competed in a college championship race since after dealing with two torn hamstrings and a cancelled season in 2020.

With bad injury luck and a cancelled season, the 23-year-old has relied on his support system to get him through these rough patches.

“I got blessed. great family, great environment, people behind me that believed in me and didn't allow me to give up,” he said after his race.

Like Cunningham, LSU senior Eric Edwards Jr. has had a similar path in his collegiate career.

Edwards Jr. placed second with a personal best of 13.15. He feels content with the results after hitting a hurdle in the finals in 2019 and not making the finals last year.

The senior has relied on his faith through these hard times.

“It’s just a matter of fact that it’s God's timing and you know, just allowing him for me to be on the right path and just everything lined up,” he said about how he has relied on his faith.

“I'm so thankful to be here and to know that you've got this momentum now going into the rounds at USA’s.”

Florida State’s Trey Cunningham runs 13.00 top win the men’s 110m hurdles title on Friday. Photo by Logan Hannigan-Downs

Back-to-Back Champ in 400m

North Carolina A&T’s Randolph Ross repeats as the 400m NCAA title winner with a season best 44.13. The junior beat out Florida’s Champion Allison, who placed second with a time 44.41.

Even with the title, the 2020 Olympian has an ambitious time that he plans to reach and knows that it’s a process.

“My ultimate goal is 42,” said Ross. “We are progressing day-by-day.”

World Representation

Moad Zahafi of Texas Tech finished first in the men’s 800m with 1:44.49. The Moroccan athlete came into the race with a big amount of confidence, and it seemed to pay off.

“I knew I can win, I knew I’m strong,” said Zahafi. “All respect, with all the guys around with me, I think I’m the strongest in the field.”

Zahafi will be competing for Morocco at the World Championships in July and is excited to be representing his country on an international stage. “My only goal now is to be in the [Worlds] final, and when I make the final I’m going for the medal, that’s my plan,” Zahafi said.

Mississsippi State’s Navasky Anderson also knows what it means to represent his country. The Jamaican athlete finished second with a time of 1:45.02, a personal record and a new Jamaican national record for the 800m. The previous record had stood for 45 years.

“It’s always something I had in the back of my head,” said Anderson, referring to the national record. “I’m just grateful that everyone worked out.”

Repeat Titles for Burrell

LSU’s Sean Burrell captured his second straight title in the 400m hurdles with a season best time of 48.70.

Even with the victory, the sophomore wasn’t content with his execution.

“Didn’t execute as planned, but just finished how I needed to finish and come out with the victory for my team,” he said.

His win was even more impressive as he was assigned to lane seven in the final. Despite the lane draw, Burrell trusted his competitiveness and training take over.

“At the end of the day, I feel as when I step on track doesn't matter what lane I get, I just have to compete,” said the two-time champion.

“At practice, we'll always practice hurdles seven to nine just to get the feeling of running on the outside.”

Olin Hacker celebrates as he becomes the NCAA 5,000m champion on Friday. Photo by Logan Hannigan-Downs

Like Father Like Son

Wisconsin’s Olin Hacker pulled out the victory in the men’s 5,000m with a dramatic finish in the homestretch. Hacker won his first NCAA title with a time 13:27.73 to outlast Michigan St.’s Morgan Beadlescomb, who placed second with a 13:28.38.

This win is redemption for Hacker after he fell last year in this same event and placed 19th. However, this past season has helped him forget that loss.

“I was so glad to be able to come out here this spring and get back on this track and get to run a good race like this kind of erases that memory.”

With this title, Hacker has joined his father, Tim Hacker, as an NCAA champion for Wisconsin. Hacker’s father won the 1985 NCAA Individual Cross Country Championships.

The possibility of joining his father as a champion has motivated him during his seven years wearing a Badgers’ uniform, and is an honor that Hacker cherishes.

“In the locker room, there's a wall with a picture of all the NCAA champions,” said Hacker. “My dad's there, (Chris) Solinsky, Morgan's (McDonald) there.”

“I look at that every day after my run, and I roll out and I was kind of thinking about that before this weekend. If I when I would be up there and it happened. It just does not feel real.”