On Friday night at the 2024 NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., Christopher Morales Williams became the first Canadian man in 84 years to win the men’s 400m NCAA title (outdoors).
The Vaughan, Ont. native, in his second year at the University of Georgia, won the race in 44.47 seconds, edging out Alabama’s Samuel Ogazi and Florida’s JeVaughn Powell. Morales Williams was the favourite heading into the championships, having won 14 of his last 15 races.
CMW!!!!!! The Champion!!! 🏆
Christopher Morales-Williams is the 2024 400M Champion!
📺 ESPN#NCAATF x @UGATrack pic.twitter.com/yNmjcFdybU
— NCAA Track & Field (@NCAATrackField) June 8, 2024
Morales Williams is also the first Canadian man to win both indoor and outdoor titles in the event in the same year. He broke the Canadian record for the distance with a 44.05 clocking on May 11 at the SEC Conference Championships. The time currently stands as the world-leading mark for 400m this season.
The last Canadian male sprinter to win an NCAA 400m title before Morales Williams was Lee Orr in 1940.
This NCAA outdoor title was emotional for Morales Williams, who had his family at the finish line to celebrate the moment. The 20-year-old will shift his focus to the Canadian Olympic Trials later this month in Montreal. He is the reigning Canadian champion over the 400m distance.
Savannah Sutherland breaks Canadian 400m hurdles record, again
Savannah Sutherland’s bid to defend her NCAA championship in the 400m hurdles on Saturday came up just short. The 20-year-old from Borden, Sask. placed second to USC’s Jasmine Jones in a new personal best and Canadian record of 53.26 seconds. Jones won in 53.15 seconds.
𝐀𝐋𝐋-𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐍
With a second place finish in the 400m hurdles and a personal best time of 53.26, Savannah Sutherland earns First Team All-America honors! pic.twitter.com/l85YmdbXfc
— Michigan Track & Field / Cross Country (@UMichTrack) June 9, 2024
Sutherland’s time was a near second faster than her previous record of 54.04 seconds from the 400mH prelims on Thursday. She is the first Canadian to go under 54 seconds in the event, and her time is the fourth fastest in the world this year.
You can view the full results from the 2024 NCAA Championships here.
