Barringer Caps Legendary Collegiate Career

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Barringer Caps Legendary Collegiate Career

June 12, 2009

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.

posted: June 12, 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
Plab Reached Lofty Heights In NCAA HJ

Darrin Plab won back-to-back HJ titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1991 & 1992. Plab cleared 2.34m (7-8) in 1992 & tied the 2nd best bar in meet history.

Peoples Made History One Lap At A Time

Maurice Peoples won the 440-yard dash in 1973 & then really turned up the heat. Peoples split 43.4 on the Sun Devils’ mile relay team that finished third in the final.

KU’s Lokedi Set 10K MR In 2018

Sharon Lokedi won the 10K at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in a meet-record 32:09.20. Lokedi led five other women under the old final-site best, too.

Can Ereng Kick It? Yes, He Can!

Paul Ereng won back-to-back 800-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1988 & 1989. Ereng is still the current indoor record holder in the event.

Dwight Stones Set High Jump WR In 1976

Dwight Stones set a world record in the high jump of 2.31m (7-7) at the 1976 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Stones also raised the MR by more than 3 inches!