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
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
June 11, 2016

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).