Oregon’s Theisen Made Heptathlon History
Welcome to Club 6400.
Only two women have passed through the luxurious velvet rope into one of the most exclusive seven-event cliques in collegiate history: George Mason’s Diane Guthrie-Gresham and Oregon’s Brianne Theisen (now Theisen-Eaton). Not even the great Jackie Joyner (now Joyner-Kersee), who still holds the world record in the heptathlon at 7291 points and has done so since 1988, could crack the 6400-point barrier as a collegiate athlete.
Just five days after the 17-year anniversary of Guthrie’s current collegiate record of 6527 points at the 1995 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Theisen took her victory lap as one of the most accomplished combined event athletes in collegiate history.
To say Theisen’s performance at the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, was dominant would be an understatement. Nobody had a chance when Theisen, then a six-time NCAA champion, stepped on the track in search of what injury took from her the previous year (Theisen went back-to-back in the heptathlon in 2009 and 2010 – and added three consecutive indoor pentathlon titles – but a sacroiliac injury forced her to redshirt the 2011 outdoor season).
After a 0.09-second PR in the 100 hurdles of 13.30, Theisen cleared 1.84m (6-0½) in the high jump to take a 113-point lead over eventual runner-up Barbara Nwaba of UCSB. Another PR in the shot put of 12.92m (42-4¾) extended that edge to 126 points, while a 24.09 effort in the 200 had Theisen up by 207 points after Day 1 with a 3803-point total.
“I’m not worried about my score,” Theisen told Peter McKenzie of Track & Field News. “I just want to get 10 points and help my team. So my approach was to just have fun and add things up at the end.”
Theisen kept pouring it throughout Day 2 with PRs in the long jump (6.28m/20-7¼) and the javelin (46.38m/152-2) to make it even more of a rout. All that stood between Theisen and 6400 points was the 800, in which she would have to run 2:18 or better. Just like every other event, Theisen made quick work of it as she crossed the finish line in 2:13.81.
When the dust settled, Theisen amassed 6440 points – the second best total in collegiate history – and won by 513 points – the second largest margin of victory in meet history. Both of those marks were only bettered by one woman: Diane Guthrie-Gresham.
“I’m so happy, going from being injured last year and my spirits were so down because I knew I really improved,” Theisen told Jon Hendershott of Track & Field News. “It feels so good to be myself and come back this year and do what I know I’m able to do.”
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.
Mikkola Set Javelin MR With Huge Win
Esko Mikkola was a two-time JT winner at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Mikkola won in 1998, he set a MR of 81.86m (268‑7) and won by 17 feet!
Little Made Big 400H History
Shamier Little won three consecutive 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 2014 & 2016. Little became the No. 2 performer in collegiate history with her 53.51 winner in 2016.
Comenentia Completed Historic Double In 2018
Denzel Comenentia became only the third man in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to complete the HT-SP double back in 2018.
Ellerbe Won After Film Review In 1939
Mozelle Ellerbe won back-to-back 100-yard dash titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1938 & 1939. His victory in the 2nd year was confirmed by a film review.
Saunders Won Back-To-Back SP Titles, Set CR
Raven Saunders won back-to-back SP titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2015 & 2016. Saunders set a CR & MR of 19.33m (63-5) in that second year.
McCullouch Ran Legendary Times At NCAAs
Earl McCullouch of Southern California won back-to-back 120H titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was a member of a WR-setting quarter-mile relay team.
Hook ‘Em, Leo: Manzano Made 1500 History
Leo Manzano was the first male freshman in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to win the 1500/mile in 2005. Manzano added a 2nd title to his haul in 2008.
Walton Started It All In The 800
Delisa Walton won the first women’s 800 at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1982. Walton is the mother of Ebonie Floyd, who finished 2nd in the 2007 100.
Rupp Capped Sensational Senior Year In 2009
Galen Rupp completed an unprecedented year at the 2009 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships when he swept the 5K & 10K.
Gipson, Ugen Made Long Jump History
Whitney Gipson & Lorraine Ugen were the first teammates to win women’s long jump titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in consecutive years (Gipson in 2012; Ugen in 2013).