University of Oklahoma Track and Field Ready to Compete at NCAA Outdoor Championships With Depth, Determination, and Championship-Level Ambitions

The University of Oklahoma track and field program is once again poised to make a statement on the national stage. With a powerful combination of experienced veterans, dynamic underclassmen, and an ever-intensifying focus under the leadership of head coach Tim Langford, the Sooners are geared up for what promises to be a thrilling and competitive NCAA Outdoor Championships.

From the opening days of the outdoor season, Oklahoma has demonstrated it belongs in the conversation among the elite. With athletes qualifying across a wide range of events—from sprints and hurdles to throws and jumps—the Sooners bring a well-rounded roster to Eugene, Oregon, and they aren’t there just for the experience. They’re there to win, and they’ve prepared for this moment all season long.

One of the biggest stories for OU heading into the NCAA Championships has been the meteoric rise of thrower Vernon Turner, whose journey from a developing freshman into one of the best high jumpers in the country has been nothing short of remarkable. Turner not only leads the Sooners in his event but also enters the championship meet as one of the top contenders nationally. His consistency, work ethic, and leadership have set the tone for the entire team.

On the track, Oklahoma boasts a sprint group that is not only talented but also peaking at the right time. Sophomore sensation Daylon Hicks turned heads at the NCAA West Prelims, advancing in the 200 meters with one of the fastest qualifying times in the nation. His breakout season has given the Sooners another weapon on the big stage and has energized the sprint squad as a whole. Alongside Hicks is veteran sprinter Mike McWilliams, whose experience and tactical maturity offer balance and leadership for a younger group of athletes still learning what it takes to excel under championship pressure.

The women’s side of the program also features standout talent, led by distance runner Haley Herberg, whose journey from transfer student to team cornerstone has been an inspiration. Herberg will compete in the 10,000 meters, where she holds one of the top five times in the country entering the championship meet. Known for her disciplined pacing and late-race surge, Herberg’s tactical smarts have often separated her from the pack in clutch moments.

Meanwhile, the jumps and hurdles groups have quietly built a reputation for big-meet success under the radar. Sophomore long jumper Chloe Jones heads to Eugene with the fifth-best mark in the country this season and has improved her consistency dramatically since her freshman campaign. Paired with freshman sensation Trinity Fields in the triple jump, the Sooners’ women’s jumps contingent may be young, but it’s fearless. Fields, who hails from Texas and was one of the top recruits in her class, has embraced the moment and progressed at a pace even coaches didn’t fully anticipate.

The men’s 4×400 meter relay team, long a source of pride for Oklahoma, is once again championship-bound. This year’s quartet features a blend of veterans and new faces who have gelled impressively over the outdoor season. Anchored by junior DeAndre Williams, the relay team ran a season-best time at the West Prelims, good enough for a top-six seed heading into the championship meet. Their cohesion and drive could make them a surprise finalist—or better.

What separates this Oklahoma team from those of recent years, however, is depth. From the pole vault to the hammer throw, from the 400 hurdles to the steeplechase, OU isn’t just bringing a few stars—they’re bringing an army. This depth is the direct result of intentional recruiting, athlete development, and a culture built around daily improvement and accountability.

Head coach Tim Langford, now in his fifth year leading the program, has emphasized consistency and culture in building a contender. He’s not one for flashy pronouncements or attention-seeking, but make no mistake: he expects his athletes to compete for podium spots. Langford has often spoken about the value of competitive maturity, and that concept has taken root within the team. Athletes have bought into the process, trusted the training, and now find themselves with an opportunity to shine when the lights are brightest.

OU’s preparation has been meticulous. From altitude training blocks to video analysis sessions and sports psychology work, the Sooners have embraced a holistic approach to championship readiness. There’s been a noticeable difference in the team’s demeanor this spring—confidence without cockiness, focus without fear. They’ve embraced the challenges of the NCAA outdoor season, faced down tough competition in the Big 12, and emerged sharper and more resilient for it.

The Big 12 Championships, held in May, served as a key test and tune-up. There, Oklahoma saw several athletes post personal bests, and perhaps more importantly, the team found new belief in its ability to go head-to-head with national powerhouses. While Texas took home the team title, Oklahoma wasn’t far behind and showed that it could push some of the best teams in the country across multiple event groups.

As the team boards the plane to Eugene, there’s an unmistakable sense of unfinished business. Several Sooners reached the championship rounds in 2023 but fell just short of All-American honors or podium finishes. This time, they return hungrier, more experienced, and with a clearer understanding of what it takes to succeed at this level.

Assistant coaches have played a vital role in getting athletes to this point. Jumps coach Rashawn Reese has mentored both Jones and Fields, helping refine their approach and technique. Sprint coach Bryce Washington’s tireless efforts to sharpen starts and transitions have paid dividends for the men’s and women’s 4×100 squads, which both came within fractions of qualifying and are now set to return stronger next year. Even those not making the trip to nationals have contributed to the atmosphere of excellence and pushed their teammates daily.

Team captains have helped sustain morale and accountability through the highs and lows of the season. Training days in the Oklahoma heat, the sting of minor injuries, and the pressure of qualifying standards have all tested the squad. But through it all, leaders like Turner and Herberg have kept the group locked in, reminding everyone of the bigger picture and the sacrifices it takes to compete with the nation’s best.

It’s also a significant meet for the program from a recruiting standpoint. Performing well at the NCAA Outdoor Championships can not only elevate the current team but also resonate with top high school and transfer portal athletes evaluating where they want to continue their careers. Success in Eugene can serve as a launchpad for the future.

And it’s not just about individual hardware. While Oklahoma may not be widely projected as a team title contender in either gender this year, there is real potential for both squads to finish in the top 10 nationally. That would be a monumental achievement and a validation of the work being done in Norman.

Oklahoma track and field’s legacy is rich, but its modern era under Langford is still being written. A strong showing at the NCAA Championships would solidify the Sooners’ place among the rising programs nationally and demonstrate that they’re not just sending athletes to nationals—they’re sending contenders.

As the events unfold at Hayward Field, the Sooners will carry with them the weight of their training, the pride of their school, and the drive to turn potential into performance. From the moment the gun fires to the last jump, throw, or baton pass, they’ll be aiming not just to compete, but to leave Eugene with memories, medals, and momentum.

For OU, this is more than a meet. It’s a chance to redefine the narrative, to inspire the next wave of Sooners, and to prove that championship ambitions are not just talk—they’re real, and they’re alive and well in Norman.

Oklahoma is ready.