Arkansas Standout Breaks Athing Mu's Record; Julien Alfred 10.72w; Grant Holloway Opens Outdoor Season With 13.05 110 Hurdles

By Doug Binder, DyeStat 

University of Arkansas

The second half of Britton Wilson's outdoor season opening weekend turned out even better than the first at the Florida Tom Jones Memorial Invitational. 

The Arkansas standout and Bowerman Award candidate broke Athing Mu's collegiate outdoor record in the 400 meters and ran 49.51 for the win as Texas' Rhasidat Adeleke, representing Ireland, pushed her to the line with 49.90 for second. 

Wilson's time was just shy of her American and collegiate indoor record of 49.48 from last month. 

"Having a great race in both events really just boosts my confidence and makes me excited for the rest of the season," Britton said in an Arkansas news release. 

On Friday, Wilson ran her first 400-meter hurdles race of the season and clocked 53.23 for a world-leading time. 

Another Bowerman Award candidate, Texas' Julien Alfred, ran a wind-aided 100 meters time of 10.72 (+2.4)  seconds. It's the second-fastest all-conditions time in NCAA history. An incredible six women crossed the line under 11 seconds. 

A third leading contender for the Bowerman, Florida's Jasmine Moore, jumped a wind-aided mark of 22-11 (+2.7) to win the long jump. Teammate Claire Bryant was second with a wind-legal mark of 22-1.75. Moore also won the triple jump with 45-7.75.

World champion Grant Holloway of adidas also produced a highlight with his season-opening 110-meter hurdles race, clocked in 13.05. 

Nia Ali of Nike ran an impressive early season time of 12.53 seconds and defeated world record holder Tobi Amusan of adidas (and Nigeria), who ran 12.59 seconds. 

In a high quality men's  Olympic Development 100-meter matchup, Noah Lyles of adidas edged out Joe Fahnbulleh of ASICS, 9.95 to 9.98. 

Terrence Jones of Texas Tech ran even faster in the college section, winning in 9.91 seconds. Teammate Courtney Lindsey was second in 10.04 seconds. 

Tennessee's Emmanuel Bynum won the college men's 400 meters in an NCAA-leading 44.67 seconds. 

Jereem Richards of adidas won the Olympic Development men's 400 in 44.68 seconds. 

Stacy Ann Williams of Elite Performance won the Olympic Development women's 400 in 50.12. 

Emily Richards, a post-collegian, edged out Florida's Imogen Barrett in a close women's 800 meters, 2:00.82 to 2:00.96.