On May 31st, 20-year-old Jordan Anthony, a redshirt sophomore sprinter at the University of Arkansas, electrified the track at the NCAA West First Round in College Station, Texas.
Running the 100 meters in a stunning 9.75 seconds, Jordan Anthony crushed his competition by 0.16 seconds in what was technically the NCAA quarterfinal for the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship.
The wind speed during his run was +2.1 meters per second, just above the legal limit of +2.0 m/s allowed for record-eligible times. Because of this, Anthony’s blazing 9.75 can’t be officially recognized as a record or qualifying mark for championships.
Yet, even if the wind had been just 0.1 m/s less, this time would have placed him as the 6th-fastest man in human history. Regardless, Jordanis now only the 11th person ever to break 9.75 seconds under any conditions.
Why the Wind Rule Matters
Track and field rules cap legal wind assistance at +2.0 m/s to keep competition fair and times comparable. Any performance aided by wind above that is considered “wind-aided” and ineligible for records or official qualification.
This rule, designed to maintain fairness, has become the center of a heated debate among fans and experts following Anthony’s run. Should his extraordinary speed, albeit wind-aided, earn him a spot on Team USA for the upcoming World Championships? Or should the rules be strictly upheld?
Divided Opinions Among Track and Field Fans
A viral Reddit thread discussing Jordan Anthony’s chances at the US Trials reflected this split. Some fans were cautious:
“Probably depends a lot on if he’s one of those who have one (1) of these types of seasons and then disappear from the face of the earth or not. He COULD. Or he could do f***all. We don’t know, especially given US trials are years away.”
Others were more optimistic and confident:
“He’s MUCH faster than anyone in the world at the moment. Running through the line would have netted him around a 9.73, which with zero wind is 9.83. And the scary thing is, he will still improve, as he’s shown at the NCAA indoors. If he stays healthy, I see him running around 9.85 consistently with the potential for wind-legal 9.7’s.”
Skeptics pointed out the grueling NCAA schedule, which can cause athletes to peak early and struggle to maintain form for later competitions, such as the US Trials.
Anthony’s Track and Field Résumé Is Impressive
In high school, Jordan broke Mississippi state records in the 100m (10.14s, 7th fastest ever in U.S. prep history) and 200m (20.35s). He then claimed the USATF U-20 national 200m title in 20.34s and ran a 20.64 indoors at Nike Nationals, the third-fastest by a U.S. high schooler ever.
In college, Jordan Anthony began at Kentucky, setting freshman records in the 60m (6.57s) and 100m (10.16s) before transferring to Arkansas.
Since transferring, Jordan Anthony has broken Arkansas’ indoor 60m record (6.47s) and won both sprints at the 2025 SEC Championships.
Anthony isn’t just a track star; he also plays wide receiver for Arkansas’ football team, adding a unique layer to his athleticism. Though his football stats are modest, his elite speed makes him a dangerous weapon on the gridiron.
The Competition Is Fierce
Looking ahead to the World Championships trials, Anthony faces stiff competition from established stars. Olympic champion Noah Lyles is in peak form, running a 400m personal best of 45.87 and aiming for triple gold at Worlds.
Kenny Bednarek has posted elite times this season, including a 9.86s 100m and 19.95s 200m. Veteran Christian Coleman is battling to reclaim his top spot after a rocky start outdoors but remains a formidable contender.
Fans continue to debate:
“You have to assume Noah will make it. Kenny is looking great this season. Coleman has been ehh. So maybe! I would love to see it.”
Another fan weighs in on the challenge for NCAA sprinters:
“Pretty difficult to have sprinters on an NCAA schedule perform well over a month after their expected peak (NCAA champs). US Trials finals are filled with vets who have timed builds for US Trials. On the other hand, 9.75 in a +2.1 is pretty incredible.
With the US Trials just months away, the question remains: Will Jordan Anthony’s near-record wind-aided run be enough to propel him onto Team USA’s World Championships roster? The track and field community is watching closely, split but excited.
