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
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!