OU freshman Will Claye celebrated his 18th birthday in a memorable way Saturday — with a national championship.

Claye, competing in the NCAA Track and Field Championships at the University of Arkansas, broke his own U.S. junior national record in the triple jump with a mark of 56 feet, 6 3/4 inches.

His title is the first triple jump championship in school history, and the 13th individual national championship in OU outdoor track and field history.

Claye’s winning mark beat the second-place jump from Texas A&M’s Julian Reid by more than five inches.

“I knew yesterday when we came out in prelims that I had something in me and had to come out to compete,” Claye said following his championship. “Julian Reid jumped over 56 feet, and I went out on my next jump as a competitor. This whole thing is a blessing. It’s the best birthday present I’ve ever had in my whole life.”

Claye’s jump broke a 24-year-old John McDonnell Field record set by Olympic gold medalist Mike Conley in 1995.

Claye joined six other Sooners earning All-American honors over the weekend. Leslie Cole broke the OU record in the 400-meter dash, and Scottesha Miller finished seventh overall in the 200-meter dash. Cole finished fourth in her event with a time of 51.20 seconds, more than two-tenths of a second faster than the previous school record set in 1990. The women’s 4x100 relay team also earned All-American honors.

Cole will end her career as one of the most accomplished sprinters in OU women’s track and field history. She received five All-American honors during her tenure at OU, and was involved in seven program records.

With the conclusion of the 2009 season, the OU men’s track and field program loses three athletes in senior jumpers Paul Gill, Frankie Green and Adrian Wiltshire.

The women’s program loses four seniors — Leslie Cole, Mikaela Johansson, Dominique Jacobs and Katherine Johnson.