Hobbs becomes first female sprinter since Oregon’s Gardner in 2013 to sweep NCAA, USATF titles in 100 in same year

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

DES MOINES – Aleia Hobbs said Friday after winning her first women’s 100-meter title at the USATF Outdoor Championships, the LSU star was going to go home and practice.

Not her block starts or drive phase, but her dancing.

Impressed by Noah Lyles’ post-race moves following his world-leading 100 in the men’s final, Hobbs was inspired to show off her skills as well at a future meet.

“Noah is cool. He’s always keeping everyone happy,” said Hobbs, who prevailed in a wind-legal 10.91 seconds.

“I feel like we should have a dance battle. I feel like I got him. That’s my celebration, I’m going to go home and practice.”

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As far as her work on the track, practice continued to make perfect for Hobbs, who continued an unbeaten season in the 100 at Drake Stadium to become the first female athlete since Oregon’s English Gardner in 2013 to capture both NCAA Division 1 and USATF Outdoor titles in the marquee sprint in the same year.

“It’s very exciting. That was the goal to come out here and win and I did it. I’m thankful for it,” Hobbs said. “It was just my confidence. Every race I went into I was very confident that I could execute the race. I didn’t panic at all, so that’s what got me through.”

That calm proved beneficial for Hobbs when she encountered a brief misstep late in the race, but recovered in time to prevail against San Diego State All-American Ashley Henderson (10.96) and a resurgent Jenna Prandini (10.98), who returned from an injury-plagued 2017 season.

“I just have to tell myself to relax. If you panic, it won’t be good. Just being relaxed is what gets you across the line,” Hobbs said. “Honestly, I kind of stumbled, so I had to get back right running. I just kind of stumbled at the time, but I was just like, ‘You have to finish running.’ It could have been faster. When I stumbled, I knew I wasn’t going to run 10.8.”

Whether it was competing in a driving rainstorm June 9 in the NCAA Division 1 final at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., or favorable conditions Friday at Jim Duncan Track, Hobbs has been the model of consistency, not running slower than 11.06 all season with 10 performances under 11 seconds.

“That’s just Aleia. She’s having a spectacular season. I’m happy that she’s had an undefeated season and hopefully she keeps running so she can run even faster times this year,” said LSU teammate Mikiah Brisco, who placed fourth in 11.10.

“I think it’s her mentality. With track you have to be mentally ready for every race and I know every competitor here is, but I think something is different in her mind because it always clicks every time in practice.

“Even though some days she might not be feeling her best, she always clicks when it’s time for a rep or a block start. There’s just something in her mind that’s clicking for her.”

That mental toughness is, in part, the result of Hobbs recovering from knee surgery during her sophomore season. She returned last year to run a personal-best 10.85, but finished fifth at the Division 1 final and placed seventh at the USATF Outdoor Championships.

But the desire and determination this year were different, resulting in a collegiate 60-meter record 7.07 seconds and an NCAA title March 10 in College Station, Texas, which served as momentum for the outdoor season.

“I really think it’s the adversity I overcame that just motivated me this whole season to do the best in every race I did. I went undefeated this season and it’s just a nice feeling,” Hobbs said. “Last year I started feeling better, then indoor season pushed me into outdoor season, so everything just built off each other.”

Hobbs and Brisco were nostalgic about having another opportunity to race in their LSU uniforms after contributing to the collegiate record 42.05 in the 4x100 relay in their final season together.

“It means a lot because we started running when we were 9 years old,” Brisco said. “To go through high school track, summer track, collegiate track and now we’re both going to be running professional track, it’s like a dream come true when you get to do it with your training partner, so it feels amazing.”

The only thing that kept Hobbs from smiling throughout her mixed zone interviews Friday was the thought of taking off her LSU kit for the final time, as she prepares to continue her professional career competing this summer in Europe.

“I think I might shed a couple of tears,” Hobbs said. “This is the last time I’ll have it on, so it’s bittersweet, really.”

Maria Michta-Coffey captured her eighth 20,000-meter racewalk national title in nine years by clocking a facility record 1:35.21.59, eclipsing her own mark from when Drake last hosted the USATF Outdoor Championships in 2013.

Ajee’ Wilson led all qualifiers into the 800-meter final in 1:59.34, with Ce’Aira Brown clocking 1:59.49.

Shakima Wimbley led four athletes under 51 seconds in the 400 semifinals, running 50.57.

Keni Harrison clocked 12.46 in the opening round of the 100 hurdles.