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when an official called him in his hotel room to tell him he’d taken the long jump crown.
Makusha made up for that anti-climactic victory with a win that brought everyone to their feet.
Makusha broke the national collegiate record in the 100 metres on Friday in the National Collegiate Athletics Association Outdoor championships, winning in an astounding 9.89 seconds to cap a stunning day in Des Moines.
It was the fastest time in NCAA history and the second dominant performance of the meet for Makusha, who won the long jump in 27 feet, 6 3/4 inches (8.44m) – the best mark at the NCAA meet in 18 years.
Running on a wet track and with a slight tailwind, Makusha broke the 100m mark of 9.90 set by Ato Boldon of UCLA in 1996.
Makusha joined Michigan’s DeHart Hubbard (1925), Ohio State’s Jesse Owens (1935-36) and Houston’s Carl Lewis (1981) as the only athletes to sweep the 100m and long jump at an NCAA meet.
“It’s a blessing. I’m really thankful. I never planned to do this,” said Makusha, from Zimbabwe.
Makusha made his winning jump on Thursday night, just before bad weather forced officials to postpone the final few attempts until Friday.
Makusha passed on his final attempt Friday, choosing instead to rest up for the 100m.
The move worked, as Makusha pushed past the field less than halfway through the race and beat Oklahoma Rakieem Salaam, who finished in 9.97.
Fellow Seminole Maurice Mitchell was third, as Florida State picked up 16 quick points for the team title chase.
“When I turned back and looked at the clock, then heard everybody screaming – it’s a good feeling,” Makusha said.
After his remarkable feat on Friday, Makusha then joined Florida State’s men’s 4x100m and helped to post another good win in this event.
Florida State won the men’s 400m relay in 38.77 seconds, despite a near-disastrous handoff between first leg Kemar Hyman and Makusha.
The baton was airborne for the blink of an eye, but Makusha didn’t skip a beat.
He ran a strong second leg that steadied the Seminoles, and Maurice Mitchell and anchor Brandon Byram finished out the victory.
Makusha was phenomenal all week, breaking the collegiate record to win the 100m shortly after recording the best long jump in 18 years at the NCAA meet.
“We had a bit of a fumble, but I knew we had to make the best of the situation,” Makusha said. – Associated Press.