
Groenendaal Flew To Back-to-Back NCAA MRs
As Oregon’s top scorer in 1984, Claudette Groenendaal knew she’d be an important component in the program’s shot for its first women’s team title at the 1985 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
But some wondered if the hot/humid conditions in Austin would sap some of the success she displayed the year before when, in front of her home crowd in Eugene, she set PRs in winning the 1500 meters (4:14.31 MR) and taking second in the 800.
“I want to try for a double very much,” Groenendaal told Track & Field News before the 1985 NCAA Outdoor Championships. “I’m not worried about the hot weather. I just want to give it my best try.”
Groenendaal delivered for the Ducks, winning the 800 with a furious finish on the homestretch as her 2:01.20 led two others under the old meet record. A day later, she added a runner-up effort in the 1500, and her 18 points again made her the team’s leading scorer.
The 800-1500 double was the heart of Oregon’s team that year for another reason, as Leann Warren was third in the 1500 and fourth in the 800 in her final races as a Duck. Before missing the 1983 and 1984 seasons to injuries, Warren had won the NCAA’s first 1500 in 1982 as well as an 800-1500 double at the 1981 AIAW Outdoor Championships, the top collegiate meet for women prior to the NCAA including women.
The Groenendaal/Warren duo had accounted for an impressive 29 points, but was it enough? At that point, no, but a third-place finish by Kathy Hayes in the 5000 meters gave the team 52 points to seal the top trophy. The next four teams were within seven points – still the closest five-deep women’s team race in meet history.
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.

ON THIS DAY: Kerley Set 400-Meter CR In Austin
Fred Kerley set a collegiate record in the 400 on this day in 2017. Kerley went 43.70 at the NCAA DI West Preliminary Round in Austin, Texas.

Reese Left Her Mark On NCAA LJ
Brittney Reese won the long jump at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a mark of 6.93m (22-9). Reese missed the meet record by just 1cm (½ inch).

Foster Won All-Time Classic 110H In 1978
Greg Foster won an epic 110H race at the 1978 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Foster beat Renaldo Nehemiah & set an AR, CR & MR in the process with his 13.22.

D’Agostino Won By Slim Margin In 2012
Abbey D’Agostino won back-to-back 5K titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2012 & 2013. When D’Agostino won in 2012, it was by just 0.03 seconds.

Tupuritis Shocked The Field In 1996
Einars Tupuritis won the 800 at the 1996 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 0.14 seconds! Turpiritis crossed the finish line in 1:45.08.

Arkansas’ Brown Notched All-Time 100H Mark
Janeek Brown won the 100H at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 12.40, narrowly missing the collegiate record and meet record.

Brown Paced Tennessee To 1974 Team Title
Doug Brown won back-to-back steeplechase titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1973 & 1974. His victory in 1973 was by 17.2 seconds!

EMU’s Jones Hurdled Into NCAA History
Hayes Jones completed the 120H-220H sweep at the 1959 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. Jones won the last 220H title ever awarded at the meet.

Ellis Sent USC To A Thrilling Victory
Kendall Ellis had a remarkable come-from-behind victory in the 4×400 relay at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships that sent Southern California to the meet title.

Paige Turned Three NCAA Mid-Distance Titles
Don Paige won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, including a 800-1500 sweep in 1979.