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.
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.
Clemson’s Ross Kept Getting Faster In 1995
Duane Ross PR’d twice in the 110H at the 1995 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Ross won in 13.32, he became the No. 3 performer in collegiate history.
Illinois’ Kerr Went Back-To-Back At NCAAs
George Kerr won back-to-back 800/880 titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1959 & 1960. Kerr set a meet record of 1:46.4 in the 800 meters in 1960.
UCLA’s Baucham Bounded To TJ CR In 2005
Candice Baucham won the triple jump at the 2005 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a collegiate record of 14.07m (46-2). Baucham took the event by more than one foot.
San Romani Went From Unknown To Legend
Archie San Romani won back-to-back 1500/mile crowns at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1935 & 1936.
Auburn’s Glance Made Them Look Twice
Harvey Glance completed the 100-200 double as a freshman at the 1976 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He set a meet record of 10.16 in the 100.
Nova’s Rhines Did NCAA 5K Three-Peat
Jen Rhines was the first female athlete in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to win three consecutive 5K titles.
Georgia’s Erm Cruised To 2019 Decathlon Title
Johannes Erm won the decathlon at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 342 points with his 8352 total. That was also the fifth-best score in meet history.
McMillen Adapted, Set 1500 MR In 1952
Bob McMillen set a meet record in the 1500 meters of 3:50.7 at the 1952 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
LSU’s Duhaney Destroyed NCAA 200 Field In 1992
Dahlia Duhaney owns the largest margin of victory in meet history in the 200 with her 0.44-second winner at the 1992 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships.
Rice’s Roberts Cooked Up Pole Vault Greatness
Dave Roberts was the second man to win three consecutive pole vault titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, doing so from 1971 to 1973.