LSU’s Hobbs Couldn’t Be Caught In 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.
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.
Iowa’s Gordon Made Competition Pay In LJ
Edward Gordon won three consecutive long jump titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships from 1929 to 1931.
Powell Capped Career With 2006 Masterpiece
Ginnie Powell won back-to-back 100H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2005 & 2006. Powell set a collegiate record with her 12.48 from that second year.
Fromm Rewrote NCAA Javelin History
John Fromm won back-to-back javelin titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1957 & 1958. Fromm set MRs each time, hitting 257-1 (78.36m) in that second year.
Allen Sealed Oregon’s Title With 110H MR
Devon Allen won two career 110H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Allen set a MR of 13.16 in 2014.
Deniz Won Epic Discus Final In 1983
Leslie Deniz won the discus throw at the 1983 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a MR heave of 63.96m (209-10).
Fonville Made Shot Put History In 1947
Charles Fonville won back-to-back shot put titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1947 & 1948. His best mark came in 1947 when he won at 16.73m (54‑10⅞).
Montana’s Brown Set Two MRs in 1965
Doug Brown completed the 3-mile/6-mile double at the 1965 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships with MRs in each event: 13:40.2 in the 3-mile, 27:59.2 in the 6-mile.
Hook ‘Em, Courtney: Okolo Starred At NCAAs
Courtney Okolo won two career 400-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Okolo’s 50.23 winner from 2014 is the fastest mark by a sophomore in meet history.
UTEP’s Munyala Dominated The Steeplechase
James Munyala won three consecutive steeplechase titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 1975 & 1977. He set a MR of 8:24.86 in 1976.
UCLA’s Johnson Set MRs In Back-To-Back Years
Sheena Johnson won back-to-back 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2003 & 2004. Johnson set MRs each time: 54.24 (2003) & 53.54 (2004).