Texas’ Thompson Marveled In NCAA Distance Events
Which one of Jerry Thompson’s three titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships is the most memorable?
We asked him and he didn’t hesitate on his response: “The 1947 2-mile in Salt Lake City,” the Texas grad replied.
That was almost 74 years ago, and Thompson still remembers it well at the age of 97 – making him the oldest-known living NCAA champion, at least in track & field.
Thompson became known nationally in 1943, winning the NCAA 2-mile at age 19. Then he missed three years of school serving in the Navy during World War II.
The 1947 NCAA 2-mile served up a great duel between Thompson and Penn State’s Curtis Stone, who came in with the year’s fastest time at 9:11.8 from winning the IC4A Championships. Thompson owned a PR of 9:17.1 from back in 1943, but the fastest he ran in 1947 was 9:30.6 as he tripled and quadrupled in most meets.
Thompson says he didn’t feel well in the 1947 NCAA race. “It was held on a cold night and I wasn’t used to running in those conditions,” Thompson remembers. “It took me a few laps to get warmed up.”
As the race came down to the eighth and final lap, Thompson was ready “to give it everything I’ve got.” On the backstretch he pulled even with Stone as both began to sprint furiously. On the final turn Thompson was able to move ahead before cruising home to win by some 5 yards in 9:22.9.
Thompson won again in 1948, but this time the NCAA ran the 5000 meters instead due it being an Olympic year. Stone and Thompson met a few more times, including the 1948 Olympic Trials and Olympics as both made the U.S. 5K team for London.
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.
Mikkola Set Javelin MR With Huge Win
Esko Mikkola was a two-time JT winner at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Mikkola won in 1998, he set a MR of 81.86m (268‑7) and won by 17 feet!
Little Made Big 400H History
Shamier Little won three consecutive 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 2014 & 2016. Little became the No. 2 performer in collegiate history with her 53.51 winner in 2016.
Comenentia Completed Historic Double In 2018
Denzel Comenentia became only the third man in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to complete the HT-SP double back in 2018.
Ellerbe Won After Film Review In 1939
Mozelle Ellerbe won back-to-back 100-yard dash titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1938 & 1939. His victory in the 2nd year was confirmed by a film review.
Saunders Won Back-To-Back SP Titles, Set CR
Raven Saunders won back-to-back SP titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2015 & 2016. Saunders set a CR & MR of 19.33m (63-5) in that second year.
McCullouch Ran Legendary Times At NCAAs
Earl McCullouch of Southern California won back-to-back 120H titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was a member of a WR-setting quarter-mile relay team.
Hook ‘Em, Leo: Manzano Made 1500 History
Leo Manzano was the first male freshman in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to win the 1500/mile in 2005. Manzano added a 2nd title to his haul in 2008.
Walton Started It All In The 800
Delisa Walton won the first women’s 800 at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1982. Walton is the mother of Ebonie Floyd, who finished 2nd in the 2007 100.
Rupp Capped Sensational Senior Year In 2009
Galen Rupp completed an unprecedented year at the 2009 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships when he swept the 5K & 10K.
Gipson, Ugen Made Long Jump History
Whitney Gipson & Lorraine Ugen were the first teammates to win women’s long jump titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in consecutive years (Gipson in 2012; Ugen in 2013).