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.
Sternberg Reached New Heights In 1963
Brian Sternberg won the pole vault title at the 1963 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He was the first athlete to clear 16 feet in meet history at 4.97m (16-3¾).
Williams Went Back-To-Back With CR In 1996
Tonya Williams won back-to-back 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1995 & 1996. She set a CR of 54.56 in 1996 & won by 0.35 seconds.
Kimobwa Ran Into Record Book In 1977
Samson Kimobwa set a MR in the 10K of 28:10.27 at the 1977 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He won by 12.21 seconds in a race that saw the top-2 finishers under previous meet record.
Florida’s Taylor Set All-Conditions TJ Best In 2011
Christian Taylor set an all-conditions meet best in the triple jump of 17.80m (58-4¾) at the 2011 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Taylor also won the TJ crown in 2010.
Johnson Led 1-2-3 HJ Sweep By Arizona In 1985
Katrena Johnson led a 1-2-3 finish by Arizona athletes in the high jump at the 1985 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Johnson cleared 1.94m (6-4¼) to set a collegiate record.
Fresno State’s Robinson Equaled WR In 1957
Ancel Robinson equaled the world record in the 220H of 22.2 at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. He also matched the American record & collegiate record.
Johnson Set 1500 MR After Thrilling Duel
Sinclaire Johnson set a meet record in the 1500 of 4:05.98 at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Johnson won an epic duel against Jessica Hull of Oregon.
Bohni Soared To Pole Vault MR In 1983
Felix Bohni set a meet record in the pole vault of 5.55m (18‑2½) at the 1983 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Bohni was one of three men to top 18 feet.
Frerichs Broke Steeplechase Records In 2016
Courtney Frerichs set a collegiate record in the steeplechase of 9:24.41 at the 2016 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Frerichs won by the second largest margin in meet history.
URI’s Black Rolled To NCAA’s 1st 10K Title
Robert Black won the first 10,000-meter title ever awarded at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1948. Black crossed the finish line in 32:13.5, 48 seconds ahead of the runner-up.