O-H-I- Oh, Reynolds Was Fast!
Butch Reynolds of Ohio State saw something for the first time all year coming into the homestretch of the 400 meters at the 1987 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships at LSU’s Bernie Moore Track Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
That “something” was competition in the form of 1985 NCAA champ Roddie Haley of Arkansas, who was even with Reynolds off the final turn.
Reynolds had become a sensation during the outdoor season, lowering his PR from 45.37 to 44.10 – not just a collegiate record, but the fastest ever by anyone at low altitude. None of his races that spring were close.
But the Buckeye poured on the gas, only easing up as he crossed the finish line in 44.13 for a new meet record. UCLA’s Danny Everett (44.47) overtook Haley (44.82) for second place.
Reynolds almost broke the meet record of 44.30 in the heats, running an eye-popping 44.43 while winning by more than one second. The fastest NCAA prelim previously was 44.74 by Washington State’s Gabriel Tiacoh in 1986 – the year he set the MR of 44.30 in the final.
“I hope this win and my times prove that I am a world-class athlete and I can go with the best,” said Reynolds. “I really feel that the world record of Lee Evans (43.86) is within my reach now.”
It would take a little more than a year, but Reynolds got the WR with a 43.29 that lasted for 11 years until Michael Johnson ran 43.18 in 1999.
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.
Oregon’s Washington Made NCAA History In 2016
Ariana Washington of Oregon became the first freshman woman to sweep the 100 and 200 at the same NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2016.
Juskus Capped Whirlwind Week With Title
Mike Juskus of Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) won the NCAA DI & NCAA DIII javelin titles in 1981.
Stanford Had Opponents Seeing (Cardinal) Red
Stanford’s distance runners led them to great success in the late 1990s, which resulted in a national title in 2000!
Ostrander Made Steeplechase History
Allie Ostrander of Boise State became the first woman in the history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships to win three consecutive steeplechase titles.
UCLA’s Boldon Bounced Back With 100 MR
Ato Boldon of UCLA set a meet record in the Men’s 100 Meters at the 1996 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Let’s Discus(s) Some NCAA Throwing History
Cliff Felkins & Eric “Duke” Kicinski both won discus titles at the NCAA DI & NCAA DII level and were members of Texas Tech’s national championship team in 2019.
“Year Of The Vault” Ends In Epic Duel
Sandi Morris and Demi Payne raised the bar in the Women’s Pole Vault during an epic 2015 season that was dubbed “The Year of the Vault.”
Lalang Avenged Loss, Made History
Lawi Lalang beat Edward Cheserek in a thrilling duel to set a meet record in the 5000 Meters at the 2014 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships & doubled back to finish runner-up in the 1500 Meters the next day.
Wolcott Hurdled Into NCAA History
Fred Wolcott of Rice won five NCAA hurdling titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, including three consecutive crowns in the 220-yard version.
Tarr Family Collects Father-Daughter NCAA Crowns
Jerry Tarr & Sheila Tarr were the first father-daughter pair of each win an individual NCAA title at the NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.