Ralph Metcalfe Is Mr. Triple-Double

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Ralph Metcalfe Is Mr. Triple-Double

June 23, 1934

Ralph Metcalfe, who was born on this day (May 29) in 1910, won three consecutive NCAA title in two sprint events while at Marquette from 1932 to 1934. It was on June 23, 1934 — the day you see on the post — that he became the first athlete to win three NCAA titles in two separate events.

Metcalfe is one of three men to win three consecutive NCAA titles in the 100 yards or meters — joining Mel Patton of Southern California (1947-1949) and Charlie Green of Nebraska (1965-67) — and one of two men to do so in the “200” (220 yards or 200 meters), joining Walter Dix of Florida State, who accomplished the same feat from 2006-08.

As a sophomore in 1932, Metcalfe equaled the world record in 100 (10.2) and straight 200 (20.3) at the NCAA Championships, a meet that doubled as the Olympic Trials (He would later add a silver and bronze at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games). The following year, he again set or equaled world records in the 100 (9.4 for 100 yards) and straight 200 (20.4 for 220 yards).

His post-collegiate career saw a new collection of highlights: Olympic gold in 1936 with Jesse Owens on the 4×100 relay (Owens and Metcalfe led off the world record-setting quartet), coaching Xavier of Louisiana to the first HBCU victory at the Penn Relays in the 440-yard relay, rising to rank of first lieutenant in World War II for the U.S. Army, and serving four terms in Congress for Chicago until his death 1978.

posted: May 29, 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!