Jordan Anthony’s Day 1 performance at the 2025 NCAA Championships was about more than sprints and split times. It was about belief—in his talent, in his preparation, and in the possibility of greatness
While many athletes play it safe, Anthony chose to speak his dream aloud, risking criticism and pressure in exchange for the pursuit of a legacy.
Whether or not he reaches 9.69 on June 13, his approach has already made him one of the most compelling figures in collegiate track this season.
And should he actually pull it off? He’ll join the pantheon of American sprinting greats—right alongside Tyson Gay.
Jordan Anthony’s 2025 season is shaping up to be historic. With a 60m indoor title, a potential NCAA 100m record, a Bowerman nomination, and now praise from a sprinting icon, he has all the ingredients of a superstar in the making.
The NCAA D1 Championships will be his biggest stage yet—but regardless of the outcome, it’s clear that Jordan Anthony is no longer just a rising star. He’s arrived.
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Jordan Anthony’s Triple Threat Performance Lights Up Day 1
On June 11, 2025, Hayward Field in Oregon once again played host to the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships.1
Known for producing memorable moments in collegiate athletics, Day 1 did not disappoint—especially thanks to Arkansas sprinter Jordan Anthony, who competed in three major events: the 100m prelims, 200m prelims, and the 4x100m relay.
What stood out most wasn’t just Anthony’s qualification for the finals in all three disciplines, but the electric energy and conviction he displayed afterward.
His performances showed both technical prowess and mental toughness, while his post-race comments set the stage for a potentially historic showdown in the 100m finals.
Extremely Proud to be a Wolverine!〽️#NewBlue #BluePrint17 https://t.co/HlubIvgpZN
— Jordan Anthony (@Jordan_LittleBO) February 2, 2017
Navigating the Pressure of Multi-Event Participation
Competing in multiple sprint events at a national championship is no small feat. The physical strain, the scheduling stress, and the need to deliver consistently under pressure can break even the best of athletes.
Anthony began his campaign with a 100m heat, clocking a solid 10.06 seconds—good enough for sixth place overall and a finals qualification.
While not the fastest of the day, the time demonstrated that Anthony was in strong form and ready to peak when it mattered most.
He followed that up in the 200m prelims, surging to a second-place finish with a blistering 20.01 seconds. His smooth acceleration and curve running showed that his 200m game may be even more polished than his 100m dash.
In the 4x100m relay heats, Anthony helped anchor Arkansas to a 38.51-second finish, which secured another sixth-place finish and qualification for the relay finals.
His ability to maintain elite speed and clean handoffs under pressure reflects his versatility and technical training.
Jordan Anthony: Post-Race Interview
A Statement That Shook the Track World
After his races, Anthony joined Citius Mag for a post-event interview.2
Many expected him to discuss his qualification, reflect on his heat placements, or comment modestly on the competition.
Instead, what came was a bold declaration that instantly turned heads:
“Yeah, it’s time for putting a show. It’s possibility in my mind. Hopefully, God, I break the American record, 9.69. But yeah, why not go out with a bang?”
Anthony didn’t stop there. Addressing critics and doubters, he added:
“A lot of people think, ‘Oh, he got fourth in his heat today, he don’t look too well.’ I know a lot of commentators are going to make all these false narratives or stories.”
This response wasn’t just bravado—it was the mindset of an athlete who knows his own ceiling and isn’t afraid to aim higher than most would dare.
The Significance of Tyson Gay’s 9.69s Record
To understand the weight of Anthony’s statement, one must grasp the gravity of the mark he’s aiming to beat: Tyson Gay’s 9.69s, the fastest time ever recorded by an American sprinter.
Set on September 20, 2009, at the Golden Grand Prix in Shanghai, it stands as one of the most iconic performances in sprinting history.
For over a decade and a half, no American has been able to match or surpass that time. While Christian Coleman, Trayvon Bromell, and Fred Kerley have come close, none have crossed that mystical sub-9.70 threshold again.
Anthony’s goal, then, isn’t just bold—it’s historic. And he’s attempting it on one of the biggest stages in collegiate athletics, in a stadium known for record-setting performances.
Jordan Anthony: Mindset of a Champion
What’s perhaps most striking about Anthony’s interview was the calm confidence with which he spoke.3
He acknowledged the critics, yet didn’t seem distracted by them. Instead, he focused on faith, using the words “Hopefully, God” before expressing his belief in breaking the record.
This grounding in faith, combined with elite athletic preparation, can often be the X-factor for elite competitors.
His mental approach is reminiscent of other great sprinters who used public skepticism as fuel—athletes like Usain Bolt, Carl Lewis, and, yes, Tyson Gay himself.
Not Just Flash: The Technical Breakdown of His Sprinting Form
While Anthony is known for his explosive start, what has impressed many in 2025 is his mid-race stability and closing mechanics.
His 10.06s in the 100m prelim might not scream “record,” but it was run with minimal strain, suggesting there’s more in the tank.
In the 200m, his 20.01s time shows efficiency in transitioning off the curve—a skill that benefits both his straight-line and relay performances. With top-end speed and low deceleration, Anthony is built for finals.
As for the 4x100m relay, his ability to maintain form during baton exchanges and his precision under pressure point to a sprinter who’s not just raw talent, but technically refined.
Arkansas’ Title Hopes Now Hinge on Anthony’s Finals
Beyond individual ambition, Anthony’s performance holds serious implications for the University of Arkansas.
Every point counts in a national championship meet, and Anthony has now positioned himself to contribute heavily to the team total.
Should he podium—or even win—in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, Arkansas could catapult to a top-3 team finish, or possibly compete for the championship title. In that context, his performance isn’t just for personal legacy—it could define a season for his school.
History Is Within Reach: Can He Actually Run a 9.69?
- Breaking a 9.69-second barrier is not merely about desire. It requires near-perfect conditions: weather, wind (+2.0 m/s or less), track surface, starting block execution, reaction time, and top-end maintenance.
- At Hayward Field, where wind-legal sub-10s are common and the track is built for elite sprinting, the environment might just be right.
- The bigger question is whether Anthony can summon a career-best start, execute each phase flawlessly, and maintain form all the way to the line.
- From a technical standpoint, analysts believe he could dip into the 9.7X range with a perfect race. But to tie or break the 9.69? That would take everything aligning—physically, mentally, and perhaps even spiritually.
- With the 100m final set for June 13, fans, commentators, and fellow athletes will be watching closely.
- Anthony has done more than qualify—he has issued a challenge to the record books, and to those who doubted him.
- The pressure is immense. Social media is already abuzz with clips of his post-race comments, and the track world is now laser-focused on Hayward Field’s straightaway.
- Should he succeed, Jordan Anthony won’t just be remembered as a collegiate champion—he’ll go down in history as the man who matched or broke a 15-year-old American sprinting record.
Jordan Anthony’s Meteoric Season
The Rise of a Sprinting Phenom
In collegiate track and field, few names have made waves in 2025 quite like Jordan Anthony.
The University of Arkansas sprinter has emerged as one of the brightest stars of the season, dazzling fans, athletes, and analysts alike with his blistering speed and consistent dominance.
From breaking personal records to claiming national titles, Anthony’s trajectory is nothing short of spectacular. His latest feat—an electrifying 9.75s in the 100m at the NCAA West Regionals—has now earned him praise from none other than Olympic legend Justin Gatlin.
Making Razorback History Indoors
Jordan Anthony’s impact this season began indoors, where he etched his name into Arkansas Razorback history.
At the 2025 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, Anthony stormed to victory in the 60m dash, clocking a lightning-fast 6.49 seconds.
Not only did this win mark his first NCAA title, but it also made him the first Razorback to win the 60m event at the championship level—a significant milestone for both him and the program.
This performance positioned Anthony as a rising force in U.S. sprinting, and his success indoors was only a preview of what was to come outdoors.
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Blazing to 9.75s: A Statement at the West Regionals
Anthony took things to another level at the NCAA West Regionals. Competing in the 100m dash, he stunned the track and field world by crossing the finish line in a jaw-dropping 9.75 seconds.
This time, pending wind conditions and verification, is among the fastest ever recorded by a collegiate athlete.
His victory over strong competitors like Taylor Banks and Kalen Walker not only affirmed his elite status but also turned heads across the track world.
The margin of dominance, composure under pressure, and raw speed displayed by Anthony signaled that he may soon be a threat not just on the college stage, but internationally as well.
Bowerman Watch: Eyes on Track’s Highest Collegiate Honor
With his recent performances, Anthony has been placed on the 2025 Bowerman Award watch list. Often described as the “Heisman Trophy of track and field,” the Bowerman is awarded to the top male and female collegiate athletes each year.
Being included on this prestigious list is a testament to Anthony’s consistency, explosiveness, and game-changing impact this season.
His combination of 60m, 100m, and now 200m excellence makes him a rare all-around sprinter with the versatility and stamina to contend in multiple disciplines.
If he continues to perform at this level through the NCAA Championships and possibly the U.S. Olympic Trials, Anthony could find himself not just as a finalist, but a frontrunner for the award.
Jordan Anthony’s Evolution as a Sprinter
Jordan Anthony’s progression this season didn’t happen overnight. Known for his dual-sport athleticism—he was once committed to play football at the University of Kentucky—Anthony has since committed himself fully to track and field.
That decision is proving to be the right one, as he has rapidly developed his sprinting technique and strength.
His transition from a raw, powerful athlete into a technically refined sprinter has made the difference. Under Arkansas’ coaching staff, Anthony has improved his start, drive phase, and top-end speed—key elements that separate the great from the elite.
Jordan Anthony’s season isn’t over yet. He’s now preparing to compete in the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay finals on Day 3 of the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships. Expectations are high, and all eyes will be on him.
From College Star to U.S. Olympic Hopeful?
- As the track and field world gears up for the 2025 World Championships and eyes the Paris 2026 Olympics, Anthony’s name is quickly becoming a part of future U.S. sprint team conversations.
- Although still just 20 years old, his times already place him in the realm of Olympic-level competition.
- If Anthony qualifies for the U.S. Trials and performs well, he could find himself on a relay team or even competing individually on the global stage.
- Given that the U.S. sprint program is always looking to reload with young talent, his emergence could not have come at a better time.
- In the 100m, he’s clearly the favorite. But his versatility will also be tested in the 200m—a race that demands both speed and endurance.
- Meanwhile, the 4x100m relay will allow him to showcase his chemistry with teammates and ability to deliver under pressure in a team context.
- If Anthony can sweep or podium in all three events, it would further solidify one of the most impressive collegiate sprint seasons in recent memory.
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