D’Agostino Won By Slim Margin In 2012
A slower pace led to a thrilling finish in the Women’s 5000 Meters at the 2012 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.
Through 4200 meters on the blue oval at Drake Stadium, nine women were within one second of the lead as Natosha Rogers of Texas A&M hit two laps to go at 13:53.50.
When the bell sounded, that number dropped to three as Jessica Tebo of Colorado used a 69.94-second penultimate lap to surge to the front. Abbey D’Agostino of Dartmouth and Megan Goethals of Washington went with her, while Rogers fell all the way back to eighth place.
D’Agostino and Goethals kept pushing the pace over the final lap – which proved too hot for Tebo – and it was clear that one of them would go home with their first NCAA Outdoor title.
At the finish line, it was D’Agostino, who stopped the clock first at 16:11.34, inches ahead of Goethals at 16:11.37. D’Agostino covered the final 400 meters in 67.00; Goethals in 67.08.
That 0.03-second margin of victory remains the smallest in meet history, easily dwarfing the second-smallest differential of 0.48 seconds that Sabrina Dornhoefer of Missouri won by 27 years earlier.
D’Agostino left no doubt the next year, winning by 6.58 seconds in 15:43.68.
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.
Herbst Handled Distance Double With Ease
Stephanie Herbst completed the 5K-10K double at the 1986 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, setting a CR of 32:32.75 in the 10K.
Gordy Played Hero, Sent LSU To Team Title
Matt Gordy tied for the pole vault title at the 1933 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and sent LSU to the team crown!
Kendell Williams Was Multi-Talented
Kendell Williams of Georgia won seven career national titles in the combined events, including three heptathlon crowns at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
SMU’s Robberts Dominated Throwing Events
Janus Robberts won four career titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships: 1999 (SP), 2001 (SP), 2002 (SP, DT).
Enyeart Set Meet Record In 800 Meters
Mark Enyeart won two career 800-meter titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1957 and 1977. He set a meet record of 1:45.16 with his victory in 1977.
O’Sullivan Went Back-To-Back In 3K
Sonia O’Sullivan won back-to-back 3K titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1990 and 1991.
Gilkes Completed Unique Triple Crown In 1974
James Gilkes completed an unprecedented Triple Crown in 1974, winning the 220-yard dash at the NCAA Division I, NCAA Division III & NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Burrell Family In Class Of Its Own
It’s going to be a fast feast at the Burrell house during Thanksgiving!
Malone Made Javelin History In 2016
Maggie Malone set the current meet record of 62.19m (204-0) in the javelin at the 2016 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships.
Whiting Dominated SP, Nearly Set Outdoor CR
Ryan Whiting won back-to-back shot put titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2009 and 2010, narrowly missing the collegiate record in the last year.