Aaliyah McCormick defends women’s 100m hurdles title at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene; three-time national champion in two years
2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships: Aaliyah McCormick defends women’s 100m hurdles title in final collegiate race - “I am going pro”
2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships: Aaliyah McCormick defends women’s 100m hurdles title in final collegiate race - “I am going pro”
The Oregon senior successfully retains her NCAA crown, closing out her collegiate career on top on the final day of the 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene.
Aaliyah McCormick made her final collegiate race count, crossing the finish line in 12.47 seconds to successfully defend her NCAA women’s 100m hurdles title on the final day of the 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene on Saturday (13 June).
The 21-year-old Oregon senior’s winning time was just 0.03 seconds shy of her personal best of 12.44, set earlier this season.
Speaking afterwards, McCormick reflected on ending her collegiate career on such a high note.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “A three-time national champion in two years, that’s insane, and I’m honored.”
In addition to her back-to-back outdoor titles, McCormick also won the 2026 60m hurdles indoor title.
McCormick credited her success to a relentless mindset.
“I tell myself that there are people coming for me. People want to be a national champion, as they should, and I would be doing the same thing if somebody else were on this journey,” she said after the race.
“Every day when I came to practice and ran on the straightaway, I would say, ‘I want to be a national champion again. It is possible.’ I would just think about someone being right next to me all the time and continue to push and push and push myself.”
That someone in this race was Kentucky junior Emmi Scales , the second-fastest qualifier entering the final, who appeared poised to challenge for a podium finish before falling at the line and being disqualified.
Italy’s Celeste Polzonetti finished second in 12.79, narrowly edging Jamaica’s Janela Spencer in a photo finish after both athletes were credited with the same time. Polzonetti’s 12.79 (0.782) placed ahead of Spencer’s 12.79 (0.789).
The victory closes an incredible collegiate career for McCormick, who confirmed to Olympics.com that she will now turn her attention to the professional ranks.
“I am going pro, but I’m not going to speak too much on who I’m going with or where I’m going,” she said. “I just look forward to that next journey.”
Asked whether the victory felt like the beginning of the next phase of her career, McCormick said she is eager to test herself against the world’s best.
“It feels like definitely a big step in the right direction, and I’m just excited to hopefully be one of the greats.
“All the ladies in the 100m hurdles are dogs, so I’m still excited to hopefully be one of those big dogs.”
NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships 2026 - Full schedule, all finals race results, times, and standings
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Picture by USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect