Cal’s Williams Set World Record In 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.
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.
Spearmon Sprinted Past Stacked 200 Field
Wallace Spearmon Jr. won back-to-back 200m titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2004 & 2005. He ran 19.91 (-0.7 m/s) in 2005 to beat a loaded field by 0.17 seconds.
Collegiate Record For BYU’s Andersen
Kassi Andersen set a collegiate record in the steeplechase of 9:44.95 at the 2003 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, capping a three-year streak in which BYU athletes won the event.
Hook ‘Em, Ivan: Wagner Tied Best HJ Margin
Ivan Wagner won the high jump at the 1997 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships by more than four inches to tie the largest margin of victory in meet history.
Mason’s Muzzio Starred In Decathlon
Rob Muzzio won back-to-back decathlon titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1984 & 1985. His victory in 1985 was by 3 points, the smallest margin in meet history.
Roesler Dusted The Competition In 2014
Laura Roesler won the 800 at the 2014 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships with a negative split (61.06/60.16) & the 2nd largest margin of victory in meet history (1.70 seconds).
Fuchs Went Back-To-Back In Shot Put
Jim Fuchs won back-to-back shot put titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1949 & 1950. He set a meet record in that first year, heaving the orb 17.10m (56-1½).
Lash Led Indiana Dominance In NCAA’s First 5K
Don Lash led a 1-2-4 finish by Indiana in the 5K at the 1936 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. It was the first time in meet history that one team had three top-4 finishers in that event.
Surprise! Brown’s Win Sent Texas A&M To Title
Kamaria Brown beat Jenna Prandini by 0.007 seconds for the 200-meter title at the 2014 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. It was the smallest margin of victory in meet history.
Coleman Cruised To The Bowerman In 2017
Christian Coleman dazzled at the 2017 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships and set a collegiate record in the 100!
Blanford Blitzed 100H Record Book
Rhonda Blanford set an all-conditions meet record in the 100 Hurdles of 12.70 at the 1985 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. She also won the race by 0.30 seconds!