K-State’s Jones Captured Heptathlon Crown In 2015

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

K-State’s Jones Captured Heptathlon Crown In 2015

Akela Jones got off to a torrid start in the heptathlon at the 2015 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. 

Thanks to equaling her PR in the high jump of 1.84m (6-0½) and notching a six-foot PR in the shot put of 14.85m (48-8¾), Jones amassed 4023 points through Day 1. For comparison’s sake, when Diane Guthrie set a collegiate record at the 1995 NCAA Championships, her total stood at 3728 through four events, so many thought the all-time best could be on borrowed time. 

Jones slowed down, but not by much.

The Kansas State junior opened Day 2 with a 6.53m (21-5¼) effort in the long jump, hit a PR of 38.13m (125-1) in the javelin and traversed 800 meters in 2:29.43, which brought her score to 6371 points – the fourth-best total in both collegiate and meet history (That means that each of the top-3 totals also came from past meets). 

“I went out there with the focus of maintaining what I did yesterday,” Jones told the media after capturing K-State’s fourth title in the multi. “I wanted to stay focused throughout the day, not just in the long jump. I did that and I came out victorious.” 

Jones ended up winning by 148 points over defending champion Kendell Williams of Georgia. That also happened to be the only blemish of a near-perfect career for Williams in combined-event competition at the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships (Williams went 4-for-4 in the pentathlon, 3-for-4 in the heptathlon).

posted: April 20, 2021
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.