Bayer Gave It His All For NCAA 1500 Title

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Bayer Gave It His All For NCAA 1500 Title

June 9, 2012

Like it often does, the 1500-meter final at the 2012 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, turned into a kicker’s race. 

German Fernandez of Oklahoma State led a close-knit pack through 1100 meters, as first (Fernandez) through 12th place (Sam McEntee of Villanova) was separated by just 0.85 seconds. Comparatively, it was 0.98 seconds at 300 meters and 1.01 seconds at 700. 

Miles Batty of BYU made the first move at the bell. Batty, who set the collegiate indoor mile record at the NYRR Millrose Games in February, had Andrew Bayer of Indiana right with him. 

With 100 meters to go, Batty held a slight lead on Bayer. 

With 50 meters to go, Bayer latched onto his shoulder. 

With 25 meters to go, it was still too close to call (Not to mention, Ryan Hill of NC State was gaining ground on both of them, but was running out of real estate).

Both Batty and Bayer, about to complete sub-54 second final laps, dove at the finish line in one final attempt to win the national title. 

Final result: Andrew Bayer, Indiana 3:43.82; Miles Batty, BYU 3:43.83 

Just 0.01 seconds separated the two athletes for the closest finish in meet history since the NCAA adopted Fully Automatic Timing (FAT) in 1976.

posted: April 22, 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).