Barrett Scared Long-Standing MR In 2013
Brigetta Barrett entered the 2013 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships as the prohibitive favorite in the high jump, having won the event in each of the two previous years and setting the still-current collegiate record of 1.99m (6-6¼) just a few weeks earlier.
If Barrett reigned in Eugene, Oregon, just as she did at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2011 and 2012, she’d become just the second woman in meet history to win three consecutive event titles. Tanya Hughes, another standout jumper from Arizona, snagged three in a row from 1991 to 1993.
Barrett made it look effortless through five bars, needing only one attempt to go from 1.77m (5-9¾) – where she entered – to 1.89m (6-2¼) – where she eventually turned away three other competitors for the victory (Courtney Anderson of South Florida, Maya Pressley of Auburn and Leontia Kallenou of Georgia, who’d win the 2014 NCAA crown).
Not content resting on her laurels, Barrett asked the bar to be raised to 1.95m (6-4¾) – just 1 cm (one-quarter inch) below the 18-year-old meet record of 1.96m (6-5) set by Amy Acuff of UCLA. Barrett took fouls on her first two attempts, but cleared the height on her third and final attempt, leaving many to wonder if the collegiate record was also in danger.
Ultimately, Barrett’s journey – and dreams for a meet record and an improved collegiate record – came to an end at 2.00m (6-6¾) after three misses.
“I feel like I was able to put my mark on the collegiate world,” Barrett said after the meet. “I’m very grateful for everything and couldn’t ask for more.”
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.