Congratulations to the Sooners women’s team for securing their places on the SEC Outdoor Championships all-time performance list for OU!

The University of Oklahoma women’s track and field team has once again etched its name into history, delivering a series of remarkable performances that earned them a coveted place on the SEC Outdoor Championships all-time performance list. In their first few years as full SEC members, the Sooners have made it abundantly clear—they are not here to participate, they are here to dominate.

With a combination of elite coaching, unyielding team chemistry, and athletic prowess, the Sooners women’s squad made a powerful statement at the 2025 SEC Outdoor Championships. Their feats on the track and in the field events not only garnered national attention but also elevated Oklahoma’s stature in one of the most competitive conferences in collegiate athletics.

This article takes a deep dive into the standout moments, athletes, and events that brought this historic performance to life—and what it means for the program moving forward.

The SEC Outdoor Championships are widely recognized as the toughest conference meet in collegiate track and field. Featuring perennial powerhouses such as LSU, Florida, Texas A&M, Arkansas, and Georgia, the competition is a preview of what many expect to see at the NCAA Championships. For Oklahoma to make history in this setting is a testament to the program’s trajectory and potential.

The Sooners’ women’s team didn’t just show up—they showed out.

From the opening events on Day 1 to the dramatic relay finishes on Championship Saturday, Oklahoma consistently found themselves on the podium and in the spotlight.

Junior Jada Pearson delivered one of the meet’s defining performances in the 400m dash, clocking a jaw-dropping 50.76 seconds—earning her a gold medal and an all-time top-five spot on the SEC Outdoor Championship record list. Pearson, who transferred from Baylor last season, has been a revelation for the Sooners. Her composure on the backstretch and finishing strength have made her one of the most feared 400m runners in the nation.

Senior Tiana Franklin, the emotional leader of the team, brought the energy to every heat and final. She ran a blistering 12.71 in the 100m hurdles, securing silver and establishing a new school record. Her time also places her among the top 10 all-time in SEC Championship history. Franklin’s journey has been defined by growth and grit, and her performance was a culmination of years of development and determination.

The field events were just as electric for the Sooners, with junior Malia Okoro launching a personal-best and program-record 71.34 meters in the hammer throw. The throw not only secured gold but also entered the top five of the all-time SEC Outdoor Championship list. Okoro’s technique and strength were undeniable, and her triumph marks a pivotal moment for OU’s field athletes.

When it came time to close out the meet, the Oklahoma women’s 4x400m relay squad—Pearson, Kamari Williams, Nyla Chenault, and freshman phenom Madison Green—sealed the deal with a winning time of 3:25.80, another school record and one of the ten fastest performances in SEC Outdoor Championship history. It was an emphatic exclamation point on a dominant meet.

While the headliners rightly receive their accolades, Oklahoma’s rise is also fueled by their depth. Multiple athletes scored points in mid-distance, hurdles, and jumps, showcasing the team’s versatility.

Sophomore Emily Tisdale placed fifth in the 1500m and sixth in the 5000m, becoming the first Sooner woman since 2012 to score in both at the SEC meet. Her stamina and consistency added valuable team points and revealed OU’s long-distance program is on the rise.

Another standout was heptathlete Kayla Irons, who tallied a personal best of 5,973 points. Not only did she earn bronze, but she also broke the school record and placed among the top 15 in meet history. Her development under Coach Tonya Hill has been rapid and remarkable.

At the helm of this evolution is head coach Petros Kyprianou, who took over the Oklahoma track & field program just two years ago. Known for his success in building championship-level programs at Georgia and Nevada, Kyprianou has quickly installed a culture of excellence in Norman.

His fingerprints are all over this team’s rise—elite recruitment, technical refinement, and psychological preparation have transformed Oklahoma into a legitimate SEC title contender. The women’s team’s success is as much a product of elite coaching as it is raw talent.

“It’s never just about one meet, but this one was special,” said Kyprianou. “Our women trusted the process, worked relentlessly, and stepped into the moment. To see them honored on the all-time list in such a competitive conference—it’s humbling, and it’s only the beginning.”

Oklahoma has long been known as a football powerhouse, and more recently for its dynasty in women’s softball. But with this performance, the women’s track & field program is demanding recognition as a national force in its own right.

“People sometimes forget how deep and talented the SEC is in track & field,” said Tiana Franklin. “To be on that all-time list? That means we’re not just good right now—we’re a part of history.”

Their achievements not only elevate the current roster but also provide a recruiting boost for years to come. With several top-20 recruits already signed in the upcoming class, Oklahoma appears poised to build on this historic moment.

While the SEC Championships were a massive milestone, the Sooners have no plans to stop there. Their eye is now firmly on the NCAA Outdoor Championships, where several athletes are projected to contend for individual national titles.

Jada Pearson is currently ranked No. 2 nationally in the 400m. The 4x400m relay is also top five. Okoro is a top-three hammer thrower nationally, and Franklin will be a semifinalist threat in both hurdle events. The team is in its best position in over a decade to earn a top-10 finish at nationals.

For context, prior to 2025, Oklahoma women’s track & field had placed only once in the top three at a conference outdoor championship in the last 30 years—back in the Big 12 era. Making the SEC all-time list for multiple events is not only unprecedented but symbolic of a new era.

This is not just a talented class or a lucky meet—it’s the foundation of something enduring.

Championship performances live on through medals, records, and trophies. But what the Oklahoma women did at the 2025 SEC Outdoor Championships goes beyond results. They broke barriers, changed perceptions, and wrote their names into one of the toughest record books in college sports.

They’ve inspired the next generation of Sooners, made their mark on the SEC, and declared, emphatically, that Oklahoma women’s track and field is no longer an underdog.