Pitt’s Sowell Atoned With 800 Meet Record
Arnie Sowell of Pittsburgh had a point to prove at the 1956 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Berkeley, California.
Sowell won the 880 yards in the 1954 NCAA meet as a sophomore in a near-PR 1:50.5, but not making the 1955 NCAA final provided him special incentive for the 1956 race.
In 1955, Sowell finished fourth in his heat when only the top-3 advanced to the final. In that heat, he entered the homestretch boxed in.
“There was still time for a runner of Sowell’s ability to drop back and go around the field,” wrote Bert Nelson of Track & Field News. “But the champ elected to run it out in the middle and finish close up – but fourth.”
Sowell admitted that not remembering the top-3 advancement was his fault. “My coach told me, the starter told us, and I knew it,” he explained. “But somehow I forgot it. It was just stupid.”
In 1956, Sowell left no doubt.
After winning his 800-meter heat – the NCAA races that year were held at metric distances because it was an Olympic year – Sowell took off in the final like he’d never done before. He led by more than 10 meters after the first 200 in a blazing 24.3 and came through the first lap in 51.1.
T&FN’s Nelson reported that Sowell “passed 600 meters in 1:18.2 and although visibly tired was not distressed as he finished in 1:46.7.”
Not only did Sowell win by 2.5 seconds – still the event’s largest margin – he broke the American record of 1:46.8 held by Fordham’s Tom Courtney, who won the 1955 NCAA final in Sowell’s absence.
Courtney and Sowell would have at least two more memorable races that summer – Courtney reclaimed the AR by winning the Olympic Trials in 1:46.4 (Sowell 1:46.9) before an Olympic gold as Sowell finished fourth.
Sowell, a hurdler and long jumper in high school as a Pittsburgh native, showed uncanny range as a collegiate runner. In 1955 he once anchored his mile relay team in 45.4 – when the 440 world record was 46.0 – and finished third in that fall’s IC4A cross country meet.
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.
Bagyula Boasted Incredible Pole Vault Prowess
Istvan Bagyula won three consecutive pole vault titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 1990 & 1992. He was the first to clear 19 feet (5.80m) in 1991.
Rotich Went Back-To-Back-To-Back In Steeple
Anthony Rotich won three consecutive steeplechase titles, doing so from 2013 to 2015. His 8:21.19 from 2013 is the ninth fastest mark in meet history.
Lawrence Twins Doubled Down On Outdoor Crowns
Twins Shadae & Shardia Lawrence both won titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships: Shardae in the discus (2017); Shardia in the triple jump (2019).
Sink Steepled Into The Record Book
Sid Sink won back-to-back titles in the steeplechase at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1970 & 1971. He set meet records in each of those years.
Georgia Tech’s Taylor Triumphed In 1998
Angelo Taylor won the 400 Hurdles and doubled back to anchor the winning 4×400 relay team at the 1998 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Tennessee’s Skinner Set Javelin MR In 1970
Bill Skinner set a meet record in the javelin of 82.49m (270-8) at the 1970 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships.
Turner Left No Doubt In 800 Meters
Inez Turner won the 800 meters at the 1995 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships by 2.24 seconds for what is still the largest margin of victory in meet history.
Cheruiyot Won By Slim Margin In 1989
Kip Cheruiyot beat teammate Peter Rono by 0.03 seconds in the 1500 at the 1989 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. It was the closest margin of victory since the NCAA adopted FAT.
Emordi Led Texas Southern 1-2 LJ Finish In 1987
Paul Emordi led the only 1-2 finish by teammates in the men’s long jump at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1987. Emordi won with a leap of 8.25m (27-0¾).
Anchor Down: Tolbert Set 400H CR In 1997
Ryan Tolbert set a collegiate record in the 400 Hurdles of 54.54 at the 1997 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. Tolbert also finished third in the open 400!