Hornbostel Left Mark As A Hoosier
Which 880-yard NCAA victory by Chuck Hornbostel of Indiana is the best?
It could be his last race in a Hoosier jersey, winning the 1934 half-mile to become the first man to win the 800/880 three times. Held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – site of his first Olympics in 1932 (He was sixth) – and with a winning margin of 1.2 seconds, it certainly had to be satisfying.
Another likely selection would be the thriller in 1933, when he and mile star Glenn Cunningham of Kansas came across the line in matching world record times of 1:50.9. This one – the last NCAA held at Chicago’s Soldier Field – had some writers grasping for words.
“He and Cunningham came down the stretch stride for stride,” wrote Wilfrid Smith of the Chicago Tribune. “For more than a hundred yards the pair ran a dead heat, but in the last five yards Hornbostel gained an advantage of a foot.” The Associated Press, which called Hornbostel “the Indiana iron man,” put the margin as “about two inches.”
But the native of Evansville, Indiana, and Hoosier fans might just pick his first, winning the 1932 crown in a then-meet record 1:53.5. More importantly, his 10 team points helped Indiana win its first – and still only – NCAA team title in track & field, scoring 56 points to top Ohio State’s 49¾ points. The Hoosiers were paced by Henry Brocksmith, who contributed 16 points with runner-up finishes in the mile and 2-mile.
Hornbostel, who never lost a collegiate race in the 800/880, went on to make a second Olympic team, finishing fifth in the 1936 Berlin Games.
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).