University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
NCAA Outdoor Championships
Kenny Selmon Breaks 22-Year-Old UNC Record In NCAA Final
June 10, 2017 | Track & Field
EUGENE, Ore. – Kenny Selmon broke a 22-year-old UNC record when he ran a lifetime-best 48.60 to place fourth in the 400-meter hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon Friday.
The previous record of 48.72 was set by Ken Harnden in 1995. Harnden is a two-time Olympian in the event for the Zimbabwe national team in 1996 and 2000, and he is also the last Tar Heel to win a national title in the 400 hurdles.
“He's had a big shadow to follow,” North Carolina Head Coach Harlis Meaders said. “And I think he's done a great job.
Selmon's goal was not only to break Harnden's record, but to capture the coveted national title that Harnden did in 1995. He was however dealt a tough hand, having to compete in lane eight after qualifying for the final on Wednesday based on time and not place. Selmon came in to the final with the third-fastest heat time in 48.93, but it was in a fast heat that qualified two men ahead of him.
“It's lonely,” Selmon said. “You can't see anybody. It's a blind race the whole way around, and so you have to trust yourself and trust your positioning. It's lonely, but the world-record in the open 400 was broken out there, so it can be done.”
A new school record, a lifetime-best performance, and one that earned him first-team All-America honors for the second time in as many seasons is nothing short of impressive, even if the ultimate goal may have to wait a little longer.
“He's raced at Junior World Championships,” Meaders said. “He's raced at the NCAA Championships. He's raced at the USA Senior Championships. He's a seasoned competitor, and no one likes lane eight, but part of it has been [being] mentally able to accept that's what it is and still go out and perform well.”
In 2016, the junior from Mableton, Georgia, finished third at the Outdoor Championships in 49.56, a time that wouldn't have even qualified for Friday's final. That's how fast this year was, and the Olympic hurdler from Texas, Byron Robinson, who came into the weekend with the nation's fastest time didn't even qualify for the final.
“He had probably the deepest, fastest 400-hurdle final in the history of the NCAA meet,” hurdles coach Steve Rubin said. “He just did an amazing job.”
Selmon got off the blocks fast, but could immediately tell how close the race was going to be when he felt Desmond Palmer of Pittsburgh in lane seven coming up behind him on the back straightaway. He rounded the second turn tied for sixth with 100 meters to go, and used his closing speed to move into fourth, but ran out of space and time as he crossed the finish line before he could pick any others off.
Eric Futch, the 2016 national champion, defended his title as he took the race in 48.32, edging out Rai Benjamin of UCLA by 0.01. Kemar Mowatt of Arkansa finished just behind Benjamin and just ahead of Selmon.
“This is the fastest year it's been in a long time,” Selmon said. “So I'm pleased and honored to be with that group, and we'll use it for my next races.”
That's Selmon's attitude. Just after walking off the track, he was already talking about working on the first 200 meters of his race after focusing most of the season on his finish. It's the mature outlook that let's you know this is only the beginning for Selmon, especially when the tape of the race tells exactly where his strengths and weaknesses lie – falling behind early, but a strong finish to secure fourth.
When Selmon looks back, this will be another learning experience in a young career that led to bigger and greater performances. For now, he will head home knowing that his junior campaign wrapped up with the best race of his life.
NOTE: Selmon scored the only points for the Tar Heel men as they finished tied for 51st overall and tied for the sixth best finish in the ACC with five points.
Players Mentioned
