LSU wins men’s NCAA track and field ‘championships’ team title

Oregon freshman Cole Hocker won the 1,500 at the NCAA track and field championships, and LSU took the men’s team title.

Hocker bested collegiate record holder and defending champion Yared Nuguse of Notre Dame with a finish in 3 minutes, 35.35 seconds at his home stadium at Oregon’s Hayward Field.

The showdown between Hocker and Nuguse was one of the most anticipated races of the meet. Hocker then finished fourth in the 5,000.

LSU won its first title since 2002. Oregon was second.

The top-ranked Tigers were boosted by sprinter Terrance Laird, who ran the 100 in 10.02. Micah Williams of Oregon posted the top time in the heats, running in similar cool conditions, but finished third behind Houston’s Shaun Maswanganyi.

Florida’s Joseph Fahnbulleh won the 200 in 19.91. Randolph Ross of North Carolina A&T won the 400 in 43.85 and USC’s Isaiah Jewett claimed the 800 in 1:44.68.

Oregon’s Cooper Teare won the 5,000 in 13:12.27, setting a school record for the Ducks while also beating the qualifying time for the Olympics.

Earlier this week, LSU’s JuVaughn Harrison won the long jump with a leap

TRACK AND FIELD

of 27 feet, 1¾ inches. On Friday, he took high jump at 7- 7 3/4.

Harrison won both events in pulling off a rare double at the NCAA Indoor championships. He hopes to qualify for the Olympic team this summer.

LSU won the 400 relay in 38.48 seconds. The Tigers did not qualify for the men’s 1,600 relay, which was the final event of the day Friday.