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.
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).