Twice As Nice For Texas’ Richards In 2003

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Twice As Nice For Texas’ Richards In 2003

June 14, 2003

On this day in 2003, Sanya Richards of Texas became the first freshman (man or woman) to win the 400 in this meet and double back to anchor a winning 4×400 relay team. Her 400 victory was over three past or future NCAA champions as she set an American U20 (Junior) record of 50.58 and later brought the Longhorns from behind to victory in the 4×4 with a 51.2 split.

Richards (now Richards-Ross) was inspired by her coach, Bev Kearney — who, at the time, was the only black head coach (man or woman) to win an NCAA track & field team championship at the NCAA DI level. The future USTFCCCA Hall of Fame coach was then early in her recovery from a serious car accident the previous December.

“Personally, I just love her to death,” Richards told Jon Hendershott of Track & Field News. “To see her in a wheelchair and fighting every day just to walk – while she’s telling you to fight to run – makes her words so much more inspirational.”

Richards would become an inspiration herself, breaking 50 seconds in the summer of 2004 and finishing her career in 2016 with 49 sub-50 performances, the most by any woman. Her 48.70 from 2006 remains the fastest ever recorded by an American.

posted: June 14, 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
Reese Left Her Mark On NCAA LJ
June 12, 2008

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).

Tupuritis Shocked The Field In 1996
May 31, 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.

Ellis Sent USC To A Thrilling Victory
June 9, 2018

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.