The recent NCAA men’s outdoor track and field championships culminated dramatically on Friday night with a thrilling 1,600-meter relay, ultimately resulting in a tie for the championship between Texas A&M and USC, both finishing with 41 points at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. This victory marks a significant moment for the Trojans, as they have shared the outdoor title for the first time in 49 years, while the Aggies celebrate their first championship since 2013, the last occasion when two teams shared the title.

Before the final race, USC had a five-point lead over Auburn and a six-point edge on Arkansas, with Texas A&M needing to overcome a seven-point deficit. As the 1,600-meter relay unfolded, it was the Aggies who surged ahead in the closing stretch. South Florida’s Gabriel Moronta, however, snatched victory in the relay with a time of 3:00.42.

Amidst the excitement, Texas A&M clinched the crucial second-place finish, earning additional points, while USC secured a single point in seventh place. A protest from Arkansas regarding interference during the race was denied, resulting in the rare shared championship.

Moronta’s performance included the second-fastest split at 44.23 seconds, while his teammate Alexavier Monfries led all runners with the best time of 44.11 seconds.

Texas A&M also boasted two individual national champions and finished second in the 1,600-meter relay, which solidified their share of the team title. This victory also signifies USC’s first outdoor championship since 1976, increasing their total to an impressive 27 titles, more than any other program in history.