McMillen Adapted, Set 1500 MR In 1952

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

McMillen Adapted, Set 1500 MR In 1952

June 14, 1952

Bob McMillen of Occidental made a major change in race tactics for the 1500 meters at the 1952 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Berkeley, California.

McMillen set a record pace in the NCAA mile in 1951 only to finish second while Warren Druetzler of Michigan State claimed victory.

This time, with the race held at 1500 meters due to the Olympic year, McMillen stayed well back – he was in last place after two laps. With 500 yards to go, he had moved up to sixth place.

Then, McMillen pushed the pedal to the floor.

“He burst past the pack inside of 30 yards and caught everyone except [Georgetown’s Joe] LaPierre completely unprepared,” reported Track & Field News co-founder Cordner Nelson.

McMillen’s strategy worked. He pulled away to a meet-record win in 3:50.7, worth about the same as the meet record in the more commonly held mile (4:08.3). LaPierre was second in 3:52.1.

Less than two months later, McMillen employed a similar strategy at the Helsinki Olympics, finishing with the silver medal in an American record of 3:45.2 – just 0.1 seconds behind the winner. It was his second Olympics, having competed in the steeplechase in 1948 before entering Occidental.

posted: April 9, 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
Plab Reached Lofty Heights In NCAA HJ

Darrin Plab won back-to-back HJ titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1991 & 1992. Plab cleared 2.34m (7-8) in 1992 & tied the 2nd best bar in meet history.

Peoples Made History One Lap At A Time

Maurice Peoples won the 440-yard dash in 1973 & then really turned up the heat. Peoples split 43.4 on the Sun Devils’ mile relay team that finished third in the final.

KU’s Lokedi Set 10K MR In 2018

Sharon Lokedi won the 10K at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in a meet-record 32:09.20. Lokedi led five other women under the old final-site best, too.

Can Ereng Kick It? Yes, He Can!

Paul Ereng won back-to-back 800-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1988 & 1989. Ereng is still the current indoor record holder in the event.

Dwight Stones Set High Jump WR In 1976

Dwight Stones set a world record in the high jump of 2.31m (7-7) at the 1976 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Stones also raised the MR by more than 3 inches!