Adams State’s Romain Legendre and Gracie Hyde Claim 2024 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Titles
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Adams State duo of Romain Legendre and Gracie Hyde combined for three national titles last weekend at the 2024 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Emporia, Kan. Legendre claimed the title in the 5,000-meter run, while Hyde took home a pair of championships in the 1,500m and 3,000m steeplechase events.
Legendre, a native of Carpentras, France, was dominant all year for the Grizzlies and carried that momentum into the NCAA Championships. The junior outpaced a field of 19 competitors before ultimately claiming first place in the 5,000m with a time of 14:36.13, nearly four seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. The 5,000m has been Legendre’s signature event throughout the 2024 campaign, as he set the NCAA DII record in April after crossing the finish line in 13:16.53. In doing so, he toppled the previous record by six seconds.
Hyde saw her 2024 campaign end on a high note, as she took home two pairs of gold medals during last weekend’s national championship. The graduate student opened the event with the 3,000m steeplechase, where she bested a field of 12 harriers. Hyde eventually crossed the finish line at 9:36.95, setting new meet and facility records in the process. She finished the steeplechase just eight seconds shy of her own NCAA DII record of 9:28.17, which she set in April of this year.
Hyde continued her dominance in her second event of the championships, the 1,500m competition. She claimed her second national title of the weekend after crossing the finish line with a time of 4:16.80. Her time set yet another facility record and was once again eight seconds shy of the NCAA DII record. With her two victories, Hyde gave the Grizzlies 20 points, springing them to a second-place finish in team standings on the national stage.
The Grizzlies' dynamic duo showed out all season long and have been noticed on the international circuit. Following his outstanding season, Legendre has qualified for the European Athletics Championships June 6-12. Hyde has also earned a qualifying mark of her own and will now compete at the 2024 USA Track & Field Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., June 21-30.