SACRAMENTO (California), June 15: American student Adam Steele rocketed to the fastest 400 metres time of the year when he won the NCAA title in 44.57 seconds here on Saturday.

Steele, 22, who is unknown outside of the United States, won the race by the thickness of his vest, with second-placed Otis Harris, just 20, clocking the same time and Mitch Potter in third with 44.58 seconds.

After a couple of years in the doldrums since the retirement of the majestic Michael Johnson, the one-lap race seems to have found a new generation of talent.

Tyree Washington, also of the United States, had run the previous best time, with a 44.70 seconds clocking.

American teenager Sanya Richards broke her own US junior record in winning the women’s 400 metres in 50.58 seconds.

Ireland’s Alistair Cragg surged past Louis Luchini with 200 metres to go to capture the 5,000 metres gold medal at the NCAA championships.

Cragg, who has dual Irish and South African citizenship, finished in 13 minutes 47.87 seconds while Luchini, of the United States, had a time of 13:49.81. Kenya’s Robert Cheseret was third in 13:52.17.

Cragg was involved in a bizarre photo finish on Thursday in the 10-kilometre run. Moments before the finish line he and Dan Lincoln joined hands in a mutual show of respect. Cragg then allowed Lincoln to step across the line first.

Cragg attends Arkansas university and Lincoln is a graduate of the school. Lincoln’s official time was 28 minutes 20.20 seconds while Cragg was second in 28:20.29.

Cragg grew up in South Africa but his parents have since moved to England.

Jamaica’s Aleen Bailey won the women’s 200 metres, beating Muna Lee for the second day in a row.

Bailey also triumphed over Lee in the 100 metres. Bailey won the 200 in 22.65 seconds while Lee clocked 22.76 seconds.

Leo Bookman grabbed the men’s 200 metres in 20.47 seconds, holding off Jerome Mathis and Stanford Routt.

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