The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Track and Field's Alfred and Crouser make Olympic history with gold medal performances
08.03.2024 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Leo Neugebauer wins silver medal in the decathlon.
PARIS, France – University of Texas graduates Julien Alfred and Ryan Crouser each made history with their gold medal performances at the Paris Olympic Games.
Julien Alfred won the women's 100-meter dash with a Saint Lucia National Record time of 10.72. She edged out USA's Sha'Carri Richardson (10.87) and Melissa Jefferson (10.92) to win the country's first-ever medal at the Olympics.
Alfred, the fastest woman in the world, is the first Longhorn to ever win an Olympic Gold in the 100m dash. She became the first Longhorn to win a medal in the 100m since Juliet Cuthbert of Jamaica won silver in 1992. Alfred recently won the World Indoor 60-meter dash title in her first season as a pro.
Crouser made Olympic history Saturday winning his third-straight gold medal in shot put with his winning throw of 22.90m. All three of his throws (22.64m, 22.69m and 22.90m) would have won the competition. The USA thrower became the fifth Longhorn in any sport to win a gold medal in three-straight Olympics joining Kevin Durant, Ian Crocker, Gary Hall Jr., Brendan Hansen and Sanya Richards-Ross. He's the first-ever to do it in an individual event.
Leo Neugebauer ended his incredible season winning the silver medal in the decathlon after scoring 8,748 points. Neugebauer joins Trey Hardee as the only two Longhorns to medal at the Olympics after Hardee won silver in London. Neugebauer had a huge first day of competition, leading the field with 4,650 points.
The German decathlete began the day running the 110-meter hurdles in 14.51 seconds. He added the competition's second-farthest throw in discus at 53.33m and followed with a clearance of 5.00m in pole vault to lead the competition with 7,410 points with two events remaining. The 2024 NCAA heptathlon and decathlon champion followed with a heave of 56.56m in the javelin and concluded the 10-event competition running the 1,500-meter in 4:44.67.
Ackelia Smith was the final Longhorn in competition at the Stade de France. Smith finished seventh in the triple jump final on her final attempt at 14.42m.
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