Barringer Caps Legendary Collegiate Career
Jenny Barringer left an indelible impact on the collegiate record book.
What she did on June 12, 2009, just cemented that fact.
Exactly 11 years ago today, Barringer (now Simpson) became the first woman to win the steeplechase at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships three times. She did it in style, setting a collegiate record of 9:25.54, which lasted three years until 2012.
“It’s tough to come in and be a heavy favorite,” Barringer told Sieg Lindstrom of Track & Field News. “I just had to keep my mind right and go out there and take care of business. It felt great.”
Barringer had an incredible stretch to end the season, setting three collegiate records in three weeks. She began that assault on the record books at the Midwest Region Championships with a 9:26.20 CR in that same event. Then Barringer turned her attention to the Prefontaine Classic during the “rest” week before NCAAs and set the still-standing CR of 3:59.90 in the 1500.
When all was said and done in 2009, Barringer set collegiate records in five events, three of which still stand. Barringer remains the fastest collegiate in the indoor mile (4:25.91) as well as the outdoor 1500 (3:59.90) and outdoor 5000 (15:07.64), while her standards in the indoor 3000 (8:42.03) and steeplechase have since fallen. She also recorded the fastest all-conditions mark in collegiate history over 5000 meters (15:01.70), which came on an oversized track in Seattle, Washington.
Barringer later won The Bowerman, collegiate track & field’s highest honor, in its inaugural year.
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.
ON THIS DAY: Kerley Set 400-Meter CR In Austin
Fred Kerley set a collegiate record in the 400 on this day in 2017. Kerley went 43.70 at the NCAA DI West Preliminary Round in Austin, Texas.
Reese Left Her Mark On NCAA LJ
Brittney Reese won the long jump at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a mark of 6.93m (22-9). Reese missed the meet record by just 1cm (½ inch).
Foster Won All-Time Classic 110H In 1978
Greg Foster won an epic 110H race at the 1978 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Foster beat Renaldo Nehemiah & set an AR, CR & MR in the process with his 13.22.
D’Agostino Won By Slim Margin In 2012
Abbey D’Agostino won back-to-back 5K titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2012 & 2013. When D’Agostino won in 2012, it was by just 0.03 seconds.
Tupuritis Shocked The Field In 1996
Einars Tupuritis won the 800 at the 1996 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 0.14 seconds! Turpiritis crossed the finish line in 1:45.08.
Arkansas’ Brown Notched All-Time 100H Mark
Janeek Brown won the 100H at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 12.40, narrowly missing the collegiate record and meet record.
Brown Paced Tennessee To 1974 Team Title
Doug Brown won back-to-back steeplechase titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1973 & 1974. His victory in 1973 was by 17.2 seconds!
EMU’s Jones Hurdled Into NCAA History
Hayes Jones completed the 120H-220H sweep at the 1959 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. Jones won the last 220H title ever awarded at the meet.
Ellis Sent USC To A Thrilling Victory
Kendall Ellis had a remarkable come-from-behind victory in the 4×400 relay at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships that sent Southern California to the meet title.
Paige Turned Three NCAA Mid-Distance Titles
Don Paige won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, including a 800-1500 sweep in 1979.