Four Oklahoma Sooners Athletes Win Gold on Final Day of SEC Outdoor Championships, Capping an Impressive Weekend Performance

The University of Oklahoma track and field program made a powerful statement on the final day of the 2025 SEC Outdoor Championships, as four Sooners athletes emerged victorious in their respective events, putting a triumphant exclamation point on an already strong showing throughout the weekend. The wins were not only a testament to the athletes’ relentless training and execution, but also a shining example of Oklahoma’s rising competitiveness in one of the nation’s premier track and field conferences.

Competing against some of the most elite talent the Southeastern Conference has to offer, Oklahoma’s athletes rose to the occasion, delivering standout performances under pressure on the final day. Their victories weren’t flukes or the result of unexpected upsets—these were hard-earned wins by athletes who have been steadily improving all season and peaking at just the right time.

One of the highlights came from senior sprinter Jaelyn Johnson, who dominated the women’s 200-meter final. Johnson clocked a blistering 22.31 seconds, crossing the finish line first and setting a new personal best. It was the culmination of a season filled with near-misses and second-place finishes, but on this day, Johnson left no doubt. She exploded out of the curve and extended her lead down the stretch, showcasing the kind of top-end speed and race composure that coaches dream about.

Johnson’s victory was particularly sweet given the level of competition in the SEC’s sprint events, where athletes from LSU, Florida, and Kentucky are perennial national contenders. Her win marks Oklahoma’s first women’s 200-meter title at the SEC Outdoor Championships since joining the conference, a milestone achievement both for her personally and for the program.

Another thrilling moment came in the men’s high jump, where sophomore Donovan Miles cleared a career-best 2.28 meters (7 feet, 5.75 inches) to secure the gold. It was a dramatic back-and-forth battle with Georgia’s top jumper, with both athletes pushing each other higher with every attempt. But when the bar was raised to 2.28 meters, only Miles managed to clear it cleanly. As his competitors failed to answer, he threw both fists in the air and let out a roar that echoed across the stadium, celebrating a victory built on poise and precision.

Miles has been steadily climbing the national rankings all spring, and Sunday’s performance is likely to cement him as one of the favorites heading into the NCAA Championships. The leap not only earned him the top spot on the podium, but also the admiration of his peers and the attention of scouts in attendance. He becomes the first Oklahoma athlete to win the SEC high jump title since the school transitioned to the conference, a significant marker of progress in a traditionally difficult field event.

In the women’s javelin, graduate thrower Kylie Durham brought her best when it mattered most. On her fifth attempt, Durham launched the spear 58.12 meters (190 feet, 8 inches), a throw that held up for the win. It was a season-best for Durham and marked her first SEC championship title. The field was stacked with top-tier throwers from Arkansas, Texas A&M, and Missouri, but Durham’s ability to remain calm under pressure and find her rhythm proved decisive.

Durham’s journey to the top of the podium has been one of persistence. After transferring to Oklahoma last season and dealing with a nagging shoulder issue throughout the fall, her future in the sport was uncertain. But she rededicated herself to rehab and refined her technique with the Sooners’ coaching staff. Sunday’s win was the result of months of rebuilding—physically and mentally—and serves as a testament to her resilience. With the NCAA regionals on the horizon, Durham appears to be peaking at the perfect time.

Rounding out the quartet of champions was junior distance runner Isaiah Thompson, who stunned the field in the men’s 5,000 meters. Known more for his consistency than outright dominance, Thompson surged into the lead with 800 meters to go and never looked back. He crossed the finish line in 13:37.44, a personal record and one of the fastest times in the nation this season.

Thompson’s strategy was tactically brilliant. He sat in the middle of the pack for the first half of the race, conserving energy and allowing others to set the pace. Then, with two laps to go, he made his move—an aggressive yet calculated push that broke the will of his closest competitors. As he came down the final straightaway, the crowd erupted, sensing the magnitude of what they were witnessing. It was a performance that reflected his maturity and race IQ.

Thompson’s win was more than just a personal breakthrough. It also sent a message to the rest of the country that Oklahoma is not just a sprint and field-event school. With the NCAA Championships fast approaching, the Sooners now have a legitimate contender in the long-distance events as well. His coach, Marcus Simmons, praised his effort afterward, saying, “Isaiah’s been building toward a race like this all season. He’s patient, disciplined, and knows how to close when it counts. That’s what makes him dangerous.”

Together, the four gold medals helped Oklahoma finish among the top programs on the final day of competition and gave the team valuable points in the overall standings. More importantly, these individual victories represent the depth and versatility of the Sooners’ roster. It’s not just one or two stars carrying the load—Oklahoma has become a well-rounded squad with athletes capable of winning across multiple disciplines.

Head coach Tim Langford was beaming after the meet, calling it “one of the most satisfying days of my coaching career.” Langford emphasized the significance of these wins not just for the athletes, but for the program’s future. “We’ve been building toward this,” he said. “This isn’t just about today—this is about creating a culture where our athletes believe they can compete with the best. We’re in the SEC now, and we’re proving we belong.”

The coach also pointed to the development of the team’s younger athletes and the strength of the training environment as major factors in the success. “What you saw out there today is the result of months of dedication. Our staff has done an incredible job, and our athletes trust the process. That’s what makes days like this possible.”

For the Sooners, Sunday wasn’t just about medals. It was about validation—proof that Oklahoma can thrive in the crucible of the SEC, where every race is a battle and every event is stacked with All-Americans. These four champions—Johnson, Miles, Durham, and Thompson—embody what it means to rise to the occasion. Their triumphs are individual, yes, but they represent something much bigger: a program on the rise, fueled by belief, preparation, and a hunger to be great.

As the attention now shifts toward the NCAA West Preliminary and ultimately the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Oklahoma’s coaching staff will aim to carry the momentum forward. Several Sooners athletes, including Sunday’s champions, are in prime position to qualify for nationals and contend for podium finishes on the sport’s biggest collegiate stage.

And if the performances at the SEC Championships are any indication, Oklahoma is more than ready. With every leap, sprint, throw, and lap, the Sooners are proving they’re not just here to compete—they’re here to win.

For a program that only recently entered the SEC, Sunday marked a defining moment. It was a day that will be remembered not just for the victories, but for how those victories were earned—with grit, grace, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.