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.
Iowa’s Gordon Made Competition Pay In LJ
Edward Gordon won three consecutive long jump titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships from 1929 to 1931.
Powell Capped Career With 2006 Masterpiece
Ginnie Powell won back-to-back 100H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2005 & 2006. Powell set a collegiate record with her 12.48 from that second year.
Fromm Rewrote NCAA Javelin History
John Fromm won back-to-back javelin titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1957 & 1958. Fromm set MRs each time, hitting 257-1 (78.36m) in that second year.
Allen Sealed Oregon’s Title With 110H MR
Devon Allen won two career 110H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Allen set a MR of 13.16 in 2014.
Deniz Won Epic Discus Final In 1983
Leslie Deniz won the discus throw at the 1983 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a MR heave of 63.96m (209-10).
Fonville Made Shot Put History In 1947
Charles Fonville won back-to-back shot put titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1947 & 1948. His best mark came in 1947 when he won at 16.73m (54‑10⅞).
Montana’s Brown Set Two MRs in 1965
Doug Brown completed the 3-mile/6-mile double at the 1965 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships with MRs in each event: 13:40.2 in the 3-mile, 27:59.2 in the 6-mile.
Hook ‘Em, Courtney: Okolo Starred At NCAAs
Courtney Okolo won two career 400-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Okolo’s 50.23 winner from 2014 is the fastest mark by a sophomore in meet history.
UTEP’s Munyala Dominated The Steeplechase
James Munyala won three consecutive steeplechase titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 1975 & 1977. He set a MR of 8:24.86 in 1976.
UCLA’s Johnson Set MRs In Back-To-Back Years
Sheena Johnson won back-to-back 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2003 & 2004. Johnson set MRs each time: 54.24 (2003) & 53.54 (2004).