LSU’s Hobbs Couldn’t Be Caught In 2018

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

LSU’s Hobbs Couldn’t Be Caught In 2018

June 9, 2018

LSU’s women have a decorated history 100 meters at a time. 

From 1982 to 2017, the Tigers won 21 national titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships between the 100 (seven) and the 4×100 relay (14).

It had been a long time, though, since LSU saw someone as fierce as Aleia Hobbs in 2018. 

Hobbs actually burst on the scene as a junior the year before when she clocked the second fastest time in collegiate history at 10.85. That came at the SEC Relays, where Hobbs came within shouting distance of collegiate record holder Dawn Sowell, another Tiger legend.

It wasn’t until Hobbs’ senior year that she took her rightful place on top of the NCAA podium. 

Hobbs started 2018 by tying the collegiate record in the 60 meters at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships in College Station, Texas. She went 7.07 to win the NCAA title, matching the all-time best established by former Oregon standout Hannah Cunliffe at altitude the year before.

The outdoor season saw Hobbs notch four more all-time top-10 marks in the 100 – No. 3 (10.90), No. 4 (10.91), No. 5 (10.92) and No. 7 (10.93). Those first three marks all came in the postseason, starting at the SEC Outdoor Championships and ending in the semifinal of the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Hobbs started final competition at Historic Hayward Field by anchoring LSU to a meet record in the 4×100 relay. She didn’t have anybody close to her as she took the baton from Rachel Misher and powered through the finish line in 42.09, 0.81 seconds ahead of runner-up Oregon (Just a few weeks earlier, Hobbs toted the baton last as the Tigers set a still-standing collegiate record of 42.05 at the SEC Championships).

The back of Hobbs’ yellow jersey turned out to be a familiar sight for her opponents.

Hobbs demolished the field in the final of 100 later that afternoon as she tore through a driving rain in 11.01, 0.23 seconds ahead of Natalliah Whyte of Auburn. That was the largest margin of victory in meet history since Chryste Gaines of Stanford won by 0.24 seconds in 1992.

Hobbs was named National Women’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year in 2018.

posted: January 19, 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
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!