Georgia Lady Bulldogs Win Back-to-Back NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Titles

The Georgia Lady Bulldogs won their second consecutive NCAA outdoor title in Eugene, Ore., scoring 50 points to secure the championship on Saturday. The victory was driven by two new collegiate records from Adaejah Hodge in the 200m and Dejanea Oakley in the 400m, according to meet results.

How did the Lady Bulldogs secure the national title?

Georgia clinched the team victory with a second-place finish in the 4x400m relay, which recorded a school-record time of 3:20.96. This final event provided the necessary points to finish seven points ahead of Florida, which took second place with 43 points.

Arkansas finished third with 38 points, while Oregon placed fourth with 36 points on its home track. The Lady Bulldogs’ performance marks the program’s 10th top-five finish all-time.

Did You Know? The Lady Bulldogs are one of the few UGA squads to capture at least three straight national championships, following titles in the 2025 outdoor, 2026 indoor, and 2026 outdoor seasons.

Which collegiate records were broken during the meet?

Senior Dejanea Oakley won the 400m national individual crown with a time of 48.79. This mark broke the previous collegiate record of 48.89 set in 2024 by Arkansas’ Nickisha Pryce, according to official results.

Redshirt freshman Adaejah Hodge established a new No. 1 all-time national mark in the 200m final with a time of 21.68. Her performance surpassed the former record of 21.80 set by Kentucky’s Abby Steiner in 2022.

Hodge also earned a silver medal in the 100m final, clocking 10.93. She had previously set a collegiate record in the 100-meter dash during Thursday’s semifinal.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that breaking two distinct collegiate records in a single meet shifts the historical trajectory of the program. These marks don’t just win titles; they establish a new performance ceiling for future NCAA athletes.

What is the significance of Caryl Smith Gilbert’s coaching record?

Director of Track & Field Caryl Smith Gilbert became the first female head coach to win four NCAA outdoor women’s championships, including two titles earned while at USC. According to program records, she is now one of only two female coaches to win two consecutive women’s outdoor titles, joining Texas’ Bev Kearney.

How did the Georgia men perform?

The Georgia men finished second behind Arkansas on Friday. This result represents the Bulldogs’ highest finish in the competition since they won the 2018 crown.

Women's 5K Final- 2026 NCAA outdoor track and field championships

Men’s scoring highlights included first-place finishes by Kimani Jack in the high jump and the men’s 4x400m relay. Jonathan Simms took second in the 400m, while Sidi Njie placed third in the same event.

What other results were recorded for Georgia?

Sophomore Michelle Smith finished fourth in the 400m hurdles with a time of 55.10. The 4x100m relay team, consisting of Kaila Jackson, Hodge, Reign Redmond, and Jassani Carter, took third place with a school-record time of 41.89.

In the heptathlon, senior Ella Rush finished 14th overall with 5,709 points. Sophomore Danah Nembhard placed 16th in the women’s triple jump with a top effort of 12.90m.

What may happen next for the program?

Given the current momentum, Georgia could look to extend its streak of national championships in future indoor and outdoor seasons. The emergence of redshirt freshman Adaejah Hodge as a record-holder suggests the program may maintain its dominance in sprinting events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the NCAA outdoor women’s team title?
The Georgia Lady Bulldogs won the title with 50 points.

What was Dejanea Oakley’s record-breaking time in the 400m?
Oakley clocked a collegiate record finish of 48.79.

Which other UGA sports have won three straight national championships?
Women’s swim and dive (1999-2001), equestrian (2008-10), gymnastics (2005-09), and women’s tennis (2025-26).

Which of these record-breaking performances do you find most impressive?