Aaliyah McCormick Secures Second Consecutive NCAA Hurdles Title for Oregon

Aaliyah McCormick approached her final national championship race with a fierce determination, feeling the weight of both high expectations and the fierce competition surrounding her. As the defending champion, she recognized the pressure but ultimately channeled it into her performance. On June 13, during the concluding day of the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field, the Oregon senior clinched her second consecutive title in the 100-meter hurdles.

“When I went across the line all I could think was, ‘I did it again,’” McCormick exclaimed, radiating joy. “This is the cherry on top. I can’t express how happy and blissful I am.” Her triumph significantly contributed to the Ducks' overall performance, securing them a fourth-place finish in the team standings with a total of 36 points. Georgia led the competition with 50 points, followed by Florida with 41 and Arkansas with 38.

McCormick completed the race in 12.47 seconds, just shy of her personal and school record set earlier at the NCAA West First Round meet. Initially, Kentucky's Emmi Scales claimed second place with a time of 12.69 seconds, but after a disqualification for lane infringement, UCLA’s Celeste Polzonetti was elevated to the second position, followed closely by Ohio State’s Janela Spencer in third.

Reflecting on her journey, McCormick noted, “I think a lot of people weren’t expecting me to win last year. I think that lit a fire under me because I just wanted to represent Oregon. I’m here to run, I’m good at the hurdles, and I just wanted to prove that.” In addition to her outdoor title, she also secured the NCAA indoor title in the 60-meter hurdles earlier this year.

Oregon's track team showcased their depth in other events as well. In the women’s triple jump, Sharifa Davronova, who recently set an Oregon record, finished just short of a national title, while Juliet Cherubet and Wilma Nielsen competed fiercely in the 1,500-meter final. The Ducks also made an impressive showing in the discus throw, with freshmen Alicia Khunou and Marie Josee Bovele-Linaka earning valuable points for the team.