Rotich Went Back-To-Back-To-Back In Steeple

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Rotich Went Back-To-Back-To-Back In Steeple

Early in the final of the steeplechase at the 2013 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, it was clear that it would be a three-man race for the title between Stanley Kebenei of Arkansas, Henry Lelei of Texas A&M and Anthony Rotich of UTEP. The Kenyan trio gapped the field and pushed the pace in a manner seen only several times in meet history, most recently in 1985.

At the bell, Lelei and Rotich put about five meters between themselves and Kebenei.

By the final water jump, Rotich was the only one left standing among the leading duo after Lelei lost his footing and splashed into the pit following a huge surge by the UTEP sophomore.

Rotich won in 8:21.19 to become the seventh fastest performer in collegiate history and notched the fastest winning time in meet history since 1986. Lelei ended up runner-up in 8:23.16, while Kebenei wasn’t too far behind in third at 8:24.45. It was just the third time in meet history that three men went sub-8:25 in the final (1979 and 1985 were the other instances).

Seeing Rotich atop the steeplechase podium was a familiar sight over the next few years.

Rotich won again in 2014 and then added a third consecutive crown in 2015 to join James Munyala of UTEP (1975-1977) and Daniel Lincoln of Arkansas (2001-2003) as the only men to accomplish that feat in meet history. His victory in 2015 over Kebenei was by 0.38 seconds, which was the smallest margin of victory at the meet since Pascal Dobert of Wisconsin won by 0.25 seconds in 1997.

posted: January 1, 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!