Oklahoma Men Finish Sixth As Green And Mullings Shine With National Titles At NCAA Outdoor Track And Field Championships

The University of Oklahoma men’s track and field team wrapped up a memorable season in style at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, capturing a sixth-place team finish while celebrating individual national titles from sprinter Ja’Qualon Green and jumper Wayne Mullings. Their performances on the sport’s biggest collegiate stage not only reinforced Oklahoma’s rising status nationally but also added to the program’s storied tradition of elite athletes.

The Sooners entered the NCAA Outdoor Championships with high expectations following an impressive regular season and strong showings at both the Big 12 Championships and NCAA West Preliminary rounds. With a mix of experienced veterans and hungry underclassmen, head coach Tim Langford’s squad delivered under the bright lights, scoring 37 points to earn a sixth-place finish—the program’s best mark at the outdoor national championships since 2013.

It was a week defined by individual brilliance and team resilience, but two names stood out above the rest: Ja’Qualon Green and Wayne Mullings.

Green, a junior sprinter from Houston, etched his name into Oklahoma track and field history by capturing the 100-meter national championship in dramatic fashion. Facing a loaded field that included several of the nation’s fastest sprinters, Green exploded out of the blocks and never looked back, crossing the finish line in 9.92 seconds—a new personal best and the second-fastest time in program history.

The victory not only earned Green his first national title but also established him as one of the top sprinters in the country heading into the U.S. Olympic Trials later this summer.

“It feels unbelievable,” Green said after his win. “All the hard work, early mornings, and sacrifices finally paid off. I’ve dreamed of moments like this since I was a kid, and to do it wearing Oklahoma across my chest makes it even more special.”

Green’s path to the top was anything but easy. After a promising indoor season that saw him clock some of the nation’s fastest times, he battled through a minor hamstring strain early in the outdoor campaign. His ability to peak at the right time speaks volumes about his determination and the coaching staff’s meticulous preparation.

Not to be outdone, Wayne Mullings delivered an electrifying performance in the men’s long jump, securing the national title with a career-best leap of 8.36 meters (27 feet, 5.25 inches). His mark not only topped the NCAA field but also stands as the second-longest jump in school history, trailing only former Sooner great and Olympic gold medalist Jeff Henderson.

For Mullings, a senior from Kingston, Jamaica, the victory was a culmination of years of growth and persistence.

“I came to Oklahoma because I believed this program could help me reach my potential,” Mullings shared. “Today, I proved to myself that with hard work and faith, anything is possible. I’m grateful to my coaches, my teammates, and everyone who supported me on this journey.”

Mullings’ title marked Oklahoma’s first NCAA outdoor long jump crown since Henderson’s victory in 2013, symbolizing the program’s return to prominence in the horizontal jumps under Langford’s leadership.

Beyond the headline-grabbing wins by Green and Mullings, several other Sooners contributed valuable points to Oklahoma’s sixth-place finish. The men’s 4×100-meter relay team, anchored by Green, blazed to a fourth-place finish with a season-best time of 38.35 seconds, cementing the squad’s status as one of the nation’s elite sprint relays.

Distance standout Bryce Wiggins added to the point total with a fifth-place finish in the 5,000 meters, clocking 13:28.74 in a tactical and competitive race. Wiggins, known for his gritty racing style, battled through heavy competition to secure vital points for the team standings.

In the throws, junior shot putter Marcus Riley came through with a clutch series of throws, finishing sixth overall with a mark of 20.15 meters (66 feet, 1.5 inches), showcasing the depth and versatility of the Sooners’ roster.

Coach Langford praised the collective effort of his team, emphasizing that their success was built on a foundation of unity, discipline, and belief.

“We talk a lot about family in our program, and what you saw this week was a family competing for each other,” Langford said. “From Ja’Qualon’s sprint title to Wayne’s incredible jump to every point scored by our relay, distance, and field athletes—this was a total team effort. I’m proud of what we accomplished, but I believe this is just the beginning.”

Indeed, the Sooners’ sixth-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships marks a significant step forward for a program with ambitious goals. After years of incremental progress, Oklahoma is now firmly entrenched among the nation’s track and field powers.

The individual titles won by Green and Mullings also carry Olympic implications. Both athletes have met the qualifying standards for their respective events at the upcoming U.S. Olympic Trials, where they’ll compete for the chance to represent their countries on the sport’s grandest stage—the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Green, now regarded as one of the United States’ top sprinting prospects, has a legitimate shot at making the Olympic team in both the 100 meters and the 4×100-meter relay. His breakthrough performance at the NCAA Championships positions him as a strong contender in what is expected to be one of the most competitive sprint fields in recent history.

For Mullings, his NCAA title and personal-best mark solidify his status as a leading contender to make Jamaica’s Olympic team—a nation renowned for producing world-class jumpers and sprinters alike. His victory adds his name to a rich lineage of Jamaican athletes excelling on the international stage.

The Sooners’ success at the NCAA Outdoor Championships also serves as a powerful recruiting tool for Langford and his staff, who continue to attract top-tier talent to Norman. With a strong returning core and several high-profile recruits set to join the team, Oklahoma’s trajectory appears poised for even greater heights.

In addition to the men’s team accomplishments, the Sooners’ women’s squad also produced several noteworthy performances at the NCAA meet, signaling a bright future for both programs. While the women’s team did not crack the top 10 overall, individual athletes secured personal bests and advanced to finals, laying the groundwork for future success.

As the season concludes, reflection gives way to anticipation. Green, Mullings, and their Sooner teammates will now shift focus to summer competition, international meets, and Olympic trials, carrying the momentum of their historic NCAA performances with them.

Back in Norman, the Oklahoma track and field faithful have plenty to celebrate—and even more to look forward to. With two individual national champions, a sixth-place team finish, and a culture built on belief and brotherhood, the Sooners have firmly re-established themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the national stage.

“Championships aren’t given—they’re earned,” Langford concluded. “Our athletes earned everything this week, and they’ve set the bar for what’s possible. Oklahoma Track and Field is back, and we’re just getting started.”