Cal’s Williams Set World Record In 1936

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Cal’s Williams Set World Record In 1936

June 20, 1936

Archie Williams of California couldn’t believe what he heard during his 400-meter preliminary heat at the 1936 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Chicago’s Amos Alonzo Stagg Field.

Athletes from rival schools were urging him to slow down, but Williams sped on. He had blazed past 200 in an unofficial 21.6 – just off his PR of 21.5.

“I bet these guys are trying to make me run a lousy time,” Williams recounted his thoughts years later.

Williams did ease up, but that was just before the finish. His announced final time was shocking – 46.1, shaving a tenth of a second off the world record of 46.2. Just a week earlier, Williams had challenged the WR, running a collegiate record 46.3.

The rest of that heat proved to be impressively fast as only the top-2 were guaranteed spots in the final. Harold Smallwood of Southern California and Harold Cagle of Oklahoma Baptist followed in 46.4 and 46.5, respectively – both under the NCAA meet record of 47.0.

The next day’s final was surprisingly close as Williams (47.0) held off USC’s Al Fitch (47.1) for the title. Later that summer, Williams won the Berlin Olympics by inches and finished the year with seven races of 46.7 or faster – a collection of depth that wouldn’t be seen again until 1948.

After graduation, Williams earned his pilot’s license and as a civilian was one of the initial flying instructors for the famous Tuskegee Airmen, a segregated group of black military pilots during World War II. He later joined the U.S. Army Air Forces, flying missions in World War II and then the Korean War after the creation of the U.S. Air Force.

posted: February 25, 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
O-H-I- Oh, Reynolds Was Fast!
June 6, 1987

Butch Reynolds set a meet record in the 400 of 44.13 at the 1987 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. He barely missed his own collegiate record of 44.10.

Fynes Won NCAA Titles For Two Programs

Sevatheda Fynes won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. What’s even more impressive is that she did it for two programs – Eastern Michigan & Michigan State.

El Moutawakel Had Legendary Year In 1984

Nawal El Moutawakel set a meet record in the 400 hurdles of 55.84 at the 1984 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. She also won Olympic gold that year in the event.

Florida State’s England Kicked To 1500 CR
June 15, 2008

Hannah England set a collegiate record in the 1500 of 4:06.19 at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships & led two other women under 4:08 in one of the meet’s fastest finals.