Brazier Makes History Two Laps At A Time

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Brazier Makes History Two Laps At A Time

June 10, 2016

Donavan Brazier of Texas A&M took one fell swoop at a pair of records on June 10, 2016.

It was on this day four years ago at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships where Brazier, then a 19-year-old freshman, turned two laps in 1:43.55 to obliterate both the collegiate record of 1:44.55 and the 50-year-old American junior record of 1:44.9h (equivalent to 1:44.3h for 800 meters). In fact, the American junior record set by Jim Ryun was a world record at the time for 880 yards and just celebrated its golden anniversary before Brazier knocked it from its perch.

Brazier almost broke Ryun’s record in the semifinals with a 1:45.07 PR that is still the fastest non-final time in meet history. The final would be much faster as Brazier came through the first lap in 50.48 – yet he was only in second to Mississippi State’s Brandon McBride. An exciting final lap duel saw Brazier take control in the final homestretch as McBride (1:44.50) also bettered the previous CR of 1:44.55.

“I just want to keep improving,” Brazier told Jon Hendershott of Track & Field News. “Try to go for 1:42 next year.”

His timing for such a fast race had to wait until 2019, when he won the World Championships gold medal in 1:42.34, taking down Johnny Gray’s 34-year-old American record in the process.

posted: June 10, 2020
1921-2021
The NCAA's First Championships

The NCAA and collegiate track & field will mark a momentous milestone in the spring of 2021 -- the 100th anniversary of the NCAA Championships and with that, the NCAA Track & Field Championships. In June 1921, the University of Chicago hosted the first track & field championships in NCAA history.

This point can’t be emphasized enough: Not only was the event the first for NCAA track & field, but the first championships for any sport under the sponsorship of the NCAA.

To celebrate, over each of the next 365 days, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) will celebrate moments, student-athletes, and coaches that have made a century’s worth of championships special. From humble beginnings to important historical milestones to the modern-day, collegiate track & field has evolved with the American society.

The 2021 edition of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships begin with preliminary round action on May 27-29 in Jacksonville, Fla., and College Station, Texas. The championships final site and culmination of the celebration is slated for June 9-12, 2021 at the newly rebuilt Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

Memorable Moments
O-H-I- Oh, Reynolds Was Fast!
June 6, 1987

Butch Reynolds set a meet record in the 400 of 44.13 at the 1987 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. He barely missed his own collegiate record of 44.10.

Fynes Won NCAA Titles For Two Programs

Sevatheda Fynes won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. What’s even more impressive is that she did it for two programs – Eastern Michigan & Michigan State.

El Moutawakel Had Legendary Year In 1984

Nawal El Moutawakel set a meet record in the 400 hurdles of 55.84 at the 1984 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. She also won Olympic gold that year in the event.

Florida State’s England Kicked To 1500 CR
June 15, 2008

Hannah England set a collegiate record in the 1500 of 4:06.19 at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships & led two other women under 4:08 in one of the meet’s fastest finals.