Charles Silmon: The Fastest Man in the NCAA

Charles Silmon cemented his place in TCU track and field history as the senior sprinter came from behind to take the NCAA Outdoor Championship in the men's 100-meter dash. Silmon, TCU's second 100-meter dash NCAA Champion along with Raymond Stewart in 1987 and 1989, finished in a wind-aided time of 9.89 seconds.

Charles Silmon is the NCAA champ," TCU head coach Darryl Anderson said. "At the end of the day, he is who he is. He has been doing this all year. However, this was not a typical race for him. He did not get the best start and had to battle back. He showed today he can win any kind of race."

The build up to the men's 100-meter dash is always immense, but this year's had a little extra spice to it as it took a time of 10.08 to even make the eight-man final. The field was filled with the elite sprinters from the elite programs in the country, along with two Olympians.

Silmon was the man to catch though as the Waco native blitzed the field in prelims with a wind-aided 9.92, giving him lane five. The crowd at Hayward Field knew that what they were about to witness was going to be special.

"There is pressure when you come into a race as one of, if not the, favorite," Anderson noted. "He expected to win, and I expected him to win. Charles handled himself very well in the buildup to the race."

The majority of the field got off to a strong start with Florida State's Dentarius Locke in lane four taking command of the race early. Once Silmon had gotten Ole Miss' Isaiah Young in lane six behind him, he set his sights on the Seminoles junior in front. It looked like Silmon was going to run out of real estate to make the pass.

However, Silmon was able to rise to the occasion and make the pass with only meters left to take the win and be able to wear the crown as the fastest man in the NCAA in 2013.

"This is a huge victory for TCU track and field," Anderson said. "The men's 100-meter dash is one of, if not the, toughest race to win here. There were five guys at or under 10.01 today. His win continues the great tradition and history of sprinting at TCU. When we go on the road to recruit and meet the best sprinters in the country on the recruiting trail, having this win will immensely help."

It was a classic race that will be talked about for years to come. Silmon in first in 9.89 seconds, Locke of FSU second in 9.91, Young of Ole Miss in 9.96 and Diondre Batson of Alabama and Aaron Brown finishing fourth and fifth, respectively, with matching 10.01s. It was the first time in NCAA Championships finals history that three runners had been under 10 seconds at 100-meters and the first time it took 10.01 to get into the top-five.

The TCU men's team will be one of the most active squads at Hayward Field on Saturday with four entries competing throughout the day. Cameron Parker will lead things off in the men's triple jump at 2:30 p.m. Central (12:30 Pacific). The action on the track will start with the men's 4x100 in the final at 4:12 p.m. Central (2:12 Pacific). Silmon will not get much time to rest as he will then be moving on to the 200-meter dash final at 4:50 p.m. Central (2:50 Pacific). The Frogs will take part in the last even of the meet, the 4x400 relay, at 5:50 p.m. Central (3:50 Pacific).