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.
Sternberg Reached New Heights In 1963
Brian Sternberg won the pole vault title at the 1963 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He was the first athlete to clear 16 feet in meet history at 4.97m (16-3¾).
Williams Went Back-To-Back With CR In 1996
Tonya Williams won back-to-back 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1995 & 1996. She set a CR of 54.56 in 1996 & won by 0.35 seconds.
Kimobwa Ran Into Record Book In 1977
Samson Kimobwa set a MR in the 10K of 28:10.27 at the 1977 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He won by 12.21 seconds in a race that saw the top-2 finishers under previous meet record.
Florida’s Taylor Set All-Conditions TJ Best In 2011
Christian Taylor set an all-conditions meet best in the triple jump of 17.80m (58-4¾) at the 2011 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Taylor also won the TJ crown in 2010.
Johnson Led 1-2-3 HJ Sweep By Arizona In 1985
Katrena Johnson led a 1-2-3 finish by Arizona athletes in the high jump at the 1985 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Johnson cleared 1.94m (6-4¼) to set a collegiate record.
Fresno State’s Robinson Equaled WR In 1957
Ancel Robinson equaled the world record in the 220H of 22.2 at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. He also matched the American record & collegiate record.
Johnson Set 1500 MR After Thrilling Duel
Sinclaire Johnson set a meet record in the 1500 of 4:05.98 at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Johnson won an epic duel against Jessica Hull of Oregon.
Bohni Soared To Pole Vault MR In 1983
Felix Bohni set a meet record in the pole vault of 5.55m (18‑2½) at the 1983 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Bohni was one of three men to top 18 feet.
Frerichs Broke Steeplechase Records In 2016
Courtney Frerichs set a collegiate record in the steeplechase of 9:24.41 at the 2016 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Frerichs won by the second largest margin in meet history.
URI’s Black Rolled To NCAA’s 1st 10K Title
Robert Black won the first 10,000-meter title ever awarded at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1948. Black crossed the finish line in 32:13.5, 48 seconds ahead of the runner-up.