Shawn Price

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – A national championship decided in the 4 x 400 relay is a very dramatic way to conclude a meet. The Arkansas women, leading by two points over Texas, delivered a world all-time best relay to secure the fourth NCAA Indoor team title and seventh overall for the program.

Running a time of 3:21.75 bettered the previous 4 x 400m relay world record of 3:23.27 by Russia in 2006. The Razorbacks defended their title by bettering their previous collegiate record of 3:24.09 set in 2022.

In the final tally of the team scores Arkansas collected 64 for the national championship with Texas runner-up at 60. They were followed by Florida (45), Stanford (33), Georgia (31), and NC State (29).

The latest national rankings heading into the NCAA Indoor had Texas No. 1, Florida No. 2, and Arkansas No. 3.

Britton Wilson claimed the 400m title in an American and collegiate record of 49.48, which ranks second on the all-time world list, as she defeated Florida’s Talitha Diggs, who set the previous record of 50.15 at the 2023 SEC Indoor.

Following her collegiate record in the 60m hurdles on Friday, Ackera Nugent won the final in 7.73 over Kentucky’s Masai Russell (7.75). It’s Nugent’s second NCAA title in 60m hurdles after winning in 2021 with Baylor.

Lauren Gregory finished as silver medalist in the mile, posting a time of 4:34.24 as Olivia Howell of Illinois won in 4:34.00.

A total of 18 points were scored in the 400m final. Behind Wilson’s incredible feat, Rosey Effiong finished fourth in a career best of 50.54 while Amber Anning placed sixth in 51.22.