For most of 2025, Jordan Anthony has stunned both opponents and audiences alike. From shattering Arkansas’ 60m indoor record with a blistering 6.47 second run to claiming the NCAA title later in 6.49 seconds. Meanwhile, in the outdoor circuit, he joined the sub-10-second club with a sensational 9.95-second run. Jordan even won the 200m to complete the historic SEC double. But while he has been giving one banger after another, the next stop for him was the NCAA track and field championships. And everyone had one question. How will he do?

Turns out it was quite the table-turner in the 100-meter semifinals on June 11 at Hayward Field, University of Oregon. In the semifinal three of the event, Jordan found himself in a field of fast collegiate track and field athletes. The gunshot cracked the silence, and the Razorback, who generally takes the lead in the first 20-30 meters, trailed today. He finished fourth with a time of 10.06 seconds. Kanyinsola Ajayi (Auburn) won in 9.92s, followed by Jaiden Reid (LSU) in 10.02s and Davonte Howell (Tennessee) in 10.05s. What did Anthony say after the race?

In the post-race interview, Jordan was asked, “So what did you want to, I mean, qualifying, obviously, but what did you want to be able to feel in terms of the execution today?” To this, the 20-year-old answered, “I had a mild stump in my first or second step, but at the end of the day, I got the race done. Make sure I execute what I need to execute, not like rushing to run it or race it now, just run my smooth race.”

Jordan continued with, “And that’s what I did. Just had the stumble. It’s always going to be an adversity in your life. So the here and there adversity comes. So it just doesn’t matter how you respond to it. And I responded well to it.” A fourth-place finish is unusual for the Razorback track and field star, as through the 2025 season, he had not missed a podium in the 100 meters until now.

He then continued, “So let me make sure the final is good. My not running nine doesn’t matter to me. Because as long as I stay consistent, make it to the race healthy, and proceed to the next final day. “Except for the final day, I’m good.” The NCAA Division I Men’s 100 m final at the 2025 Outdoor Track & Field Championships will take place on Friday, June 13. 

When Anthony walks onto the field for the 100-meter final, he will also have an opportunity to break a record that is held by none other than Christian Coleman himself. And as it turns out, Christian Coleman is all in for it.

Jordon Anthony has Christian Coleman’s blessing

“It’s National Championship time in Eugene! We’re putting together a social piece featuring shoutouts from notable track & field athletes to recognize and uplift the teams and athletes competing this week. We’d love to include you! Do you have a message you’d like to share with a team or standout athlete via text? We can’t wait to highlight your support.”

This is the message many elite track and field athletes received in their Instagram DMs from the official NCAA accounts. What for? To get some callouts from the legends of the game for the rising stars. Christian Coleman was one of those to receive the message, and the 100m world champion did not hesitate to answer back.

He said, “Of course, shoutout to my Vols!! Big Orange was made for the big stage! Salute to Jordan Anthony! I’ve been watching his journey, and he deserves to take down that 100m record!” In the spring of 2017, at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, University of Tennessee standout Christian Coleman electrified the track world. In his 100 m semifinal on June 7, he delivered a stunning 9.82 s run with a legal +1.6 m/s wind.

Back then, he had broken Ngonidzashe Makusha’s previous NCAA mark of 9.89 seconds and set the fastest collegiate 100 m time ever. Perhaps it is now time for Jordan Anthony. He had run a wind-aided 9.75s and a legal 9.95s. So maybe, one day or the other, he is coming for it. What do you think?