Texas A&M Track and Field Look to Secure SEC Championship
By Jacob Powell
![Aug 18, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; General view of Nike spikes at the starting line of the 1,500m during the 2016 Rio Olympics at Estadio Olimpico Joao Havelange. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports* Aug 18, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; General view of Nike spikes at the starting line of the 1,500m during the 2016 Rio Olympics at Estadio Olimpico Joao Havelange. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports*](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9962310322ab23ca0fadc26cbf9bcb747763acf7b87021813278fc1aae02c28f.jpg)
What do you know about those #EventSquad Rankings? @aggietrk is No. 1 in #NCAAD1 Men's 400. What is your team's best squad & rank? pic.twitter.com/2p0Y0H3wuO
— USTFCCCA (@USTFCCCA) February 14, 2017
Aggie Senior Fred Kerley
Meet Fred Kerley. The Texas A&M senior has taken the NCAA by a storm these last few weeks. He is the leader on the team’s 4×400-meter as well as the Aggies’ best 400-meter dash athlete.
On January 27, the Texas A&M 4×400-meter team broke the NCAA record with a blistering 3:02.52. For context, this is the 4th fastest race in US history, just behind the US Olympic team’s outings in 2006, 2014, and 2016.
COLLEGIATE RECORD - 3:02.52 for Texas A&M with foursome of Fred Kerley, Richard Rose, Devin Dixon, Mylik Kerley.
— Texas A&M Track & Field/Cross Country (@aggietfxc) January 28, 2017
Fred Kerley, the first leg, ran a team-best 44.96. If this had just been a 400-meter dash, this time would be a world-best for 2017. Speaking of records. Fred Kerley is currently the 2017 world leader in the 400-meter dash with a time of 45.02 seconds.
In addition to running this event at the Clemson Invitational, he lead the 4×400-meter dash team to the second best time this season behind their previous record-setting performance. His performance earned him SEC co-runner of the week on February 15. He is also a big reason why this team has national title aspirations this year.