Omar McLeod of Arkansas Breaks 18-Year Old NCAA Record in Men’s 60 Hurdles, Gets Jamaican Mark as Well

by LetsRun.com
March 14, 2015

Fayetteville, AR – Arkansas sophomore Omar McLeod of Jamaica broke a 18-year old collegiate record here tonight by winning the men’s 60 hurdles at the 2015 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in 7.45 seconds. McLeod absolutely dominated as Chris Caldwell of Texas Tech was second in 7.69.

The collegiate record before tonight belonged to Wisconsin’s Reggie Torian who ran 7.47 way back in 1997. The previous meet record of 7.50 was set by Florida’s Eddie Lovett in 2013.

“I wasn’t thinking about any record. I wanted to just go out there and have fun and the record came. I’m lost for words,” said McLeod on an ESPN3.com interview after the race.  McLeod said that during yesterday’s prelims he was “really nervous” and holding back at the start but he was told by his coach to just go out and run his race today.

“I just wanted to take the race from the first hurdle,” said McLeod.

McLeod’s 7.45 also was a new Jamaican record. Maurice Wignall’s held the record at 7.48 seconds, which Wignall ran to win bronze at the 2004 World Indoors. McLeod’s personal best coming into this race was 7.49 seconds which he ran to win the SEC Champs.

7.45 also ties McLeod for #1 in the world in 2015 with Cuba’s Orlando Ortega.

A post-race interview we had with McLeod:

Results

Place Name Affiliation Time
1 Omar McLeod SO Arkansas 7.45
2 Chris Caldwell JR Texas Tech 7.69
3 Trey Holloway JR Hampton 7.72
4 William Taylor SR Arizona State 7.75
5 Adarius Washington JR Indiana State 7.78
6 Aaron Mallett SO Iowa 7.79
7 Oladapo Akinmoladun JRNebraska 7.80
8 Teivaskie Lewin JR South Dakota 7.81