Angela Williams Stands Tall In History
No one had a bigger and more illustrious career over 100 meters at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships than Angela Williams of Southern California.
Williams had a rocket start that propelled her to four consecutive titles in the event from 1999 to 2002, the only such collection by a man or woman at this meet. Three others have won three 100-meter crowns in a career – but none have matched Williams’ prowess in the straight sprint.
Back in 1999, Williams burst onto the scene when she beat defending champion Debbie Ferguson of Georgia. Not only did Williams give the Women of Troy their first track title in meet history, she also became the first female freshman to win a short sprint in meet history (She would remain the youngest champion in the 100 until 2019 The Bowerman winner Sha’Carri Richardson unseated her from that perch).
Her victory in 2000, run into only the third headwind in meet history until that point, gave her the first freshman-sophomore combination in the event by anyone since Auburn’s Harvey Glance in 1976 and 1977, and her leadoff leg helped USC win the 4×100 relay title, its first for the women’s team.
In 2001, she became the event’s first female three-time winner and led the Women of Troy to their first women’s team title – made only sweeter by beating crosstown rival UCLA.
The fourth crown was a coronation on June 1, 2002, but just by the slimmest of margins (0.01) over teammate Natasha Mayers as USC joined powerhouses Florida State (1984) and LSU (1989, 1996) to finish 1-2 in the event. Thanks to that effort, the Women of Troy landed on the podium, just like the Seminoles and Tigers in each of those previous years.
“Williams was overcome with her accomplishment and was crying as she jogged to the stands to celebrate with family and friends following the race,” wrote Scott Davis in Track & Field News about Williams’ fourth consecutive victory in 2002.
“Such a big load has fallen off me now,” Williams said. “I never had to lean to win a race before.”
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).