Fight On, Clancy: Edwards Doubled Up With MRs
More than 40 years have passed since a man won both the 100 and 200 meters with meet records at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Clancy Edwards of Southern California did so in 1978 at Hayward Field in Eugene.
It was hard to tell which record triumph was more spectacular, as Edwards dethroned previous champions in both events in achieving other superlatives.
The 100 final had the most, if any, drama. Edwards got out of the blocks last but at around the 60-meter mark pulled even with two-time defending champ Harvey Glance of Auburn and rocket-starter Curtis Dickey of Texas A&M.
Edwards crossed the line first, his 10.07 MR time ahead of Dickey’s 10.11 as both were under Glance’s collegiate record of 10.15.
“That’s the way I run the 100,” said Edwards. “Always from behind.”
Edwards unleashed another hot finish in the 200, overtaking defending champ William Snoddy of Oklahoma in the homestretch to win in a meet-record 20.16 over Snoddy’s 20.28.
Edwards could claim even more than MRs as he finished the 1978 NCAA meet as CR holder in both the 100 and 200 – he had run 20.03 in earlier in the year, then the all-time low-altitude American best. Never since has a man held both the 100 and 200 CRs at any time.
Edwards had a third victory in that meet, running the third leg on Trojans’ winning 4 x 100 relay. USC had the most points among teams, but the team crown – a would-be record 27th for the program – and the 4×1 title were later vacated due to an ineligible athlete.
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.
Clemson’s Ross Kept Getting Faster In 1995
Duane Ross PR’d twice in the 110H at the 1995 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Ross won in 13.32, he became the No. 3 performer in collegiate history.
Illinois’ Kerr Went Back-To-Back At NCAAs
George Kerr won back-to-back 800/880 titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1959 & 1960. Kerr set a meet record of 1:46.4 in the 800 meters in 1960.
UCLA’s Baucham Bounded To TJ CR In 2005
Candice Baucham won the triple jump at the 2005 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a collegiate record of 14.07m (46-2). Baucham took the event by more than one foot.
San Romani Went From Unknown To Legend
Archie San Romani won back-to-back 1500/mile crowns at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1935 & 1936.
Auburn’s Glance Made Them Look Twice
Harvey Glance completed the 100-200 double as a freshman at the 1976 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He set a meet record of 10.16 in the 100.
Nova’s Rhines Did NCAA 5K Three-Peat
Jen Rhines was the first female athlete in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to win three consecutive 5K titles.
Georgia’s Erm Cruised To 2019 Decathlon Title
Johannes Erm won the decathlon at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 342 points with his 8352 total. That was also the fifth-best score in meet history.
McMillen Adapted, Set 1500 MR In 1952
Bob McMillen set a meet record in the 1500 meters of 3:50.7 at the 1952 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
LSU’s Duhaney Destroyed NCAA 200 Field In 1992
Dahlia Duhaney owns the largest margin of victory in meet history in the 200 with her 0.44-second winner at the 1992 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships.
Rice’s Roberts Cooked Up Pole Vault Greatness
Dave Roberts was the second man to win three consecutive pole vault titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, doing so from 1971 to 1973.