Alistar Cragg of Arkansas:
Cragg claimed the 3000 and 5000 meter titles (Arkansas sports info) |
After a two-year drought, Arkansas claimed their 17th NCAA Indoor Track and
Field Championship with 52 points. The Hogs put away the title thanks to junior
Alistair Cragg who won his second individual title of the weekend in the 3,000
meter run. Cragg successfully defended his title in the 5,000 meters as well
the day before when he finished first with a new Arkansas school record time
of 13:28.93. He was also named the Indoor South Central Regional Athlete of
the Year as announced by the Division I Coaches Association of the United States
Track Coaches Association.
The Championship meet alone doesn't do justice for what Cragg was able to accomplish.
During the 2003 indoor season, Cragg set two new school records and one collegiate
record, while winning all of his races. At the Boston Indoor Games on February
1, he broke the collegiate record in the 3,000 meters with a time of 7:45.22
which included defeating the defending gold medalist from the 2000 Oympics.
At the SEC Indoor Championships on March 2, Cragg was awarded with the Commissioner's
Trophy for the second-straight year after garnering the most individual points
(20) at the meet by winning the 3,000 meter and mile run. It was an outstanding
indoor season for the junior from Johannesburg, South Africa. Cragg looks to
keep the performances rolling heading into the outdoor season.
Elva Goulbourne of Auburn:
Goulbourne dominated the long and triple jumps this season (NCAA photo) |
At the 2003 NCAA Indoor Championships, no female athlete stood higher than
senior Elva Goulbourne of Auburn. It only took one jump, but Goulbourne won
the long jump on her first attempt with a mark of 22-04.25. She also claimed
her second title of the meet, the triple jump, after only competing in the event
at two meets, the SEC Championships and now the NCAA Championships. Her winning
distance of 45'2.50 was also recorded on her first attempt.
In her final event of the meet, the 60 meters, Goulbourne came close to sweeping
all three of her events at the Championship. However, she came up second with
a time of 7.24 behind Muna Lee of LSU giving her eight points for the race and
28 points overall. Auburn's point total for the women moved to 29 after
Goulbourne's final event.
It was an outstanding season for the senior from Kingston, Jamaica. Goulbourne's
edge was not only being able to dominate both the long and triple jumps all
season long, but also being a great short sprinter as well by becoming one of
the top sprinters in the country as well. Goulbourne and the rest of the Tigers
will kickoff their outdoor season on March 29, when they travel to Athens, Georgia,
for the SEC Quad Meet.
Alistar Cragg of Arkansas:
|
Cragg claimed the 3000 and 5000 meter titles (Arkansas sports info) |
After a two-year drought, Arkansas claimed their 17th NCAA Indoor Track and
Field Championship with 52 points. The Hogs put away the title thanks to junior
Alistair Cragg who won his second individual title of the weekend in the 3,000
meter run. Cragg successfully defended his title in the 5,000 meters as well
the day before when he finished first with a new Arkansas school record time
of 13:28.93. He was also named the Indoor South Central Regional Athlete of
the Year as announced by the Division I Coaches Association of the United States
Track Coaches Association.
The Championship meet alone doesn't do justice for what Cragg was able to accomplish.
During the 2003 indoor season, Cragg set two new school records and one collegiate
record, while winning all of his races. At the Boston Indoor Games on February
1, he broke the collegiate record in the 3,000 meters with a time of 7:45.22
which included defeating the defending gold medalist from the 2000 Oympics.