Akeem Bloomfield set another Jamaican national record of 44.86 in the NCAA indoor 400-meter final to win the first of two sections. The Auburn Sophomore came in second in the time final event behind USC sprinter, Michael Norman’s new indoor world and collegiate record of 44.52.
“It was a very good race,” Bloomfield said. “A time of 44.86 is a pretty fast time. I didn’t get the win, but I’m happy with the time. I feel happy about the race and the entire indoor season.”
Bloomfield took control of his heat from the beginning, storming to the lead as soon as the starter’s pistol was fired. The time 44.86 is the 4th fastest all time for collegiate track and was the number one time this year until Norman’s world record run.
“It shows that I am improving as I go along,” he told the Jamaica Star. “Going sub-45 seconds indoors is a great stepping stone for me. That gives me good ground to work on for my outdoor season.”
Both Bloomfield and Allen helped Auburn to a fifth place finish of 3:05 behind the world record breaking feats of USC (3:00.77), Texas A&M (3:01.39) and Florida (3:01.43). Though ratification is in doubt because of the presence USC’s American born Antiguan athlete Rai Benjamin, which complicates the IAAF’s legitimacy of the mark’s World Record status.
As for Bloomfield, his sights are on April, May and June. “It’s time to rest a bit, refocus and get back in the game for the outdoor season.”
