Fresno State’s Robinson Equaled WR In 1957
The 220-yard low hurdles figured to be special at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
It did not disappoint.
Two of the world’s best were ready for their sixth hurdle race of the meet, with this 220H doubling as the finale of the first NCAA meet held at Texas’ Memorial Stadium in Austin.
Ancel Robinson of Fresno State entered with the fastest time at 22.3 – tied for second fastest in world history on a straightaway – while Elias Gilbert of Winston-Salem owned the world’s fastest-ever on a race using the curve, having run 22.8 the weekend prior in winning the NAIA Championships.
Both looked for a measure of redemption after the 120-yard hurdles an hour earlier. Robinson was second – albeit in a PR 14.0 – behind the 13.6 of Lee Calhoun, the reigning Olympic champion and teammate of Gilbert, who hit the last two hurdles and finished last. Gilbert had beaten Calhoun and equaled the WR of 13.4 the previous month.
Robinson had his usual rocket start and led by some four yards after the sixth of ten hurdles. It also proved to be right in Robinson’s wheelhouse as the race was held on the straightaway. Gilbert finished strongly, but couldn’t catch Robinson, whose time of 22.2 equaled the world record set by Dave Sime of Duke one year earlier.
Robinson’s time also bettered the meet record of 22.3 set 10 years earlier by Harrison Dillard when it was a then-WR. Gilbert’s time of 22.5 was his fastest-ever on a straightaway set of hurdles.
Robinson – a Korean War veteran – was surprised at the time. “I didn’t know I was going that fast,” he said. “I took off like a jackrabbit and went as hard as I could.”
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.
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
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.
Comenentia Completed Historic Double In 2018
Denzel Comenentia became only the third man in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to complete the HT-SP double back in 2018.
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.
Saunders Won Back-To-Back SP Titles, Set CR
Raven Saunders won back-to-back SP titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2015 & 2016. Saunders set a CR & MR of 19.33m (63-5) in that second year.
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.
Hook ‘Em, Leo: Manzano Made 1500 History
Leo Manzano was the first male freshman in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to win the 1500/mile in 2005. Manzano added a 2nd title to his haul in 2008.
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.
Rupp Capped Sensational Senior Year In 2009
Galen Rupp completed an unprecedented year at the 2009 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships when he swept the 5K & 10K.
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).