ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., (Feb 8 ) – Nigeria’s Samuel Ogazi of Alabama stormed to a world-class 44.85 seconds to lead a Crimson Tide one-two in the men’s 400 metres at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic on Saturday (7), setting a facility record and topping a fast day of competition at Albuquerque Convention Center.
Samuel Ogazi Dominates 400m
Running in heat one, the 19-year-old reigning NCAA outdoor champion opened in 21.03 seconds through 200m and closed with a 23.82-second final lap in his season debut. Ogazi’s time ranks No. 2 on the 2026 world list, trailing only American Jonathan Simms’ 44.62, stands No. 2 all-time in Alabama history behind Grenada’s Olympic champion Kirani James (44.80) from 2011, and equals No. 13 on the global indoor all-time chart. His previous best was 46.27.
Teammate Mouatez Sikiou of Algeria won the fourth heat in a personal best 45.53 for second overall. Texas Tech’s Shaemar Uter of Jamaica, runner-up to Ogazi in heat one, took third in 45.54 for another personal best. Also dipping under 46 seconds were Ronnie Kendrick of TCU (45.76), New Mexico’s Brodie Young (45.79) and LSU’s Amal Glasgow (45.90).
Other New Mexico Collegiate Classic Results
The women’s 400m featured an equally rapid performance as Madison Whyte of USC clocked a lifetime best 50.82 seconds, setting a facility record and NCAA lead. Her time ranks No. 2 on the 2026 world list behind Great Britain’s Amber Anning, who ran 50.51 at the Woo Pig Classic in Arkansas this weekend.
USC’s Garrett Kaalund shattered the men’s 200m school record with a world-leading 20.12, eclipsing Olympic champion Andre De Grasse’s 20.26 from 2015. Teammates Dajaz Defrand (22.79) and Mia Brahe-Pedersen (22.85) went 1-2 in the women’s race…