Pitt’s Sowell Atoned With 800 Meet Record

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Pitt’s Sowell Atoned With 800 Meet Record

June 16, 1956

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.

posted: February 5, 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
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.

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.