Courtney Lindsey, in a post-race relaxed state, reacts to winning the NCAA Division 1 100m title
Courtney Lindsey's accent in track and field came from humble beginnings while at Rock Island High School. In 2018, at the IHSA State Championships, it was about Plainfield North superstar Marcellus Moore. Moore would set the all-time state-best 100m mark with a blistering 10.31.
Lindsey was not a chump going up against Moore during that magical senior year. His only losses were to Moore but netted him 10.50, 10.44. 10.45, and 10.52 for state runner-up honors.
Lindsey was just getting started.
The first stop post-high school was Iowa Central Community College where he earned several junior college All-American honors. He also lowered his 100 (10.34w) and 200 (20.77) personal bests before heading off to Texas Tech University.
Texas Tech was a blessing in disguise, it is in a Power 5 conference but not a marquee name like the University of Texas, Texas A&M, or even the University of Houston- in state giants on the collegiate stage.
The Red Raiders built a state-of-the-art indoor track facility and quickly was in the national landscape. As for Lindsey, he has fit in well within the program's structure.
2023 has been the pinnacle to date and ironically it occurred on the campus of UT inside of Mike A. Myers Stadium for the Division 1 Championships. After initially winning the 4x100 relay, the Red Raiders were disqualified. Lindsey leaped to Superman status in the 100m. Prior to the final, he had never broken 10 seconds in the event.
That would change in a matter of 9.89 seconds... LEGALLY.
Lindsey disregarded all of the pre-meet hype and speed regulations in Austin, Texas. He ran 10.02 in the semis... and then it was the lean over the confident and previously invincible Godson Oghenebrume of LSU. HE WON 9.89 to 9.90. Unbelievable!! Lindsey has etched his name alongside the other previous winners of the track and field's main event for sprinters.
Lindsey completed his great championship with an encore in the 200m. He flew past the finish line to take second in a PB 19.86 (legal wind).
There is no doubt that everyone who follows track and field back home in Illinois is super happy for Mr. Lindsey!