Princeton’s Bonthron Beat WR Holder In 1934 NCAA Mile
Revenge was fresh on Bill Bonthron’s mind as Princeton made its first trip to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Just a week earlier, Bonthron lost his American record in the mile when Glenn Cunningham of Kansas topped that with a world record of 4:06.8 in a highly-anticipated invitational race at Princeton’s former Palmer Stadium.
Bonthron was a well-beaten second that day in 4:12.5, far off his former AR of 4:08.7, and the ease of Cunningham’s victory was surprising as the two had traded indoor wins by inches at Madison Square Garden in New York earlier in the year.
Cunningham – aiming to become the NCAA’s first three-time winner in the 1500/mile – was comfortable in recreating his successful formula of taking off with two laps to go to, intent on deadening Bonthron’s killer finishing kick, and that’s just what he did on this return to the Coliseum (Cunningham was fourth in 1932 Olympic 1500).
This time, however, Bonthron stuck with Cunningham on the third lap, never letting the Kansan get more than a couple of strides ahead. Struggling to keep up was Penn’s Gene Venzke – himself a former holder of the world indoor mile best at 4:10.0 – but as the final lap approached he dropped back.
On the last lap, Cunningham increased the pace but Bonthron matched it, still close behind until he moved up on Cunningham’s shoulder on the final turn. Bonthron, a native of Detroit, unleashed his speed on the homestretch to win by some 7 yards in 4:08.9, a new meet record as Cunningham finished in 4:10.6.
A week later the two met again at the AAU national championships – the so-called rubber match as they were 2-2 in head-to-head races. Bonthron won another thrilling race, setting a world record in the 1500 at 3:48.8 as Cunningham was also under the old record at 3:48.9.
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.
SIU’s Roggy Dominated The Javelin In 1978
Bob Roggy won the javelin title at the 1978 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by more than 20 feet. Roggy qualified first for the final with a MR heave of 89.30m (293‑0).
Makusha Made History In Bowerman Year Of 2011
Ngoni Makusha became just the fourth man in meet history to win individual titles in both the 100 and LJ. It was his 3rd career LJ crown and he set a CR in the 100 of 9.89.
George Mason’s Gage Shocked The NCAA LJ In 1988
Nena Gage won the long jump at the 1988 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in a shocking upset over Gail Devers.
Texas’ Thompson Marveled In NCAA Distance Events
Jerry Thompson won three career distance titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. His first came in 1943. Then he won again in 1947 & 1948 after serving in World War II.
Grinnell’s Paulu Sprinted To NCAA History
Leonard Paulu was the first athlete to complete the 100-200 double in NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships history in 1922. That also made him the 1st to win back-to-back 100 titles, too.
Scott Won Back-To-Back NCAA Hammer Titles
Candice Scott won back-to-back hammer throw titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2003 & 2004. Scott set a meet record of 69.77m (228-11) in that first year.
Drouin Soared To The Bowerman In 2013
Derek Drouin won two career HJ titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Drouin won in 2013, he was only the fourth man to clear 2.34m (7-8) in meet history.
Watts Made Quick Work Of NCAA 400
Quincy Watts set a meet record in the 400 of 44.00 at the 1992 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships. It lasted 25 years until 2017.
Iowa State’s Koll Rolled To 5K-10K Crowns
Lisa Koll won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in dominant fashion. Her average margin of victory in those 5K & 10K races was 37.73 seconds.
LSU’s Hardin Completed Unique 440-220H Double Twice
The nearly unheard of 440-220H double was so nice that Glenn Hardin did it twice! Hardin became the first to do so in meet history in 1933 and then swept them again in 1934.