Hook ‘Em, Courtney: Okolo Starred At NCAAs
Courtney Okolo already made a name for herself before she stepped on the track at Historic Hayward Field for the 2014 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Less than four weeks earlier, Okolo broke the collegiate record in the outdoor 400 with a 50.03 effort to win the Big 12 Conference crown. That was 0.07 seconds faster than what Monique Henderson turned in at the 2005 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships for the previous best, so many felt Henderson’s meet record was also on borrowed time.
History would have to wait for Okolo, as she went 50.23 for her first NCAA Outdoor title. That being said, it is currently the fastest mark ever turned in by a sophomore in meet history.
Okolo returned to the track the following afternoon to close out the meet with the Longhorns’ 4×400 relay. She scorched the track with a sizzling 49.57 anchor – which was then the second fastest carry ever recorded in meet history – and helped Texas dip under the previous meet record at 3:24.21 and hit the second fastest mark in collegiate history.
All of those efforts led Okolo to being named a finalist for The Bowerman, collegiate track & field’s highest honor. While Okolo didn’t win that year, she returned to the same stage two years later after completing the 400-meter quadruple in 2016 (Okolo swept both 400s and anchored title-winning 4×400 relays at the NCAA Championships) and laid claim to the prestigious award.
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.
Ryun Raced To Only NCAA Outdoor Title In 1967
Jim Ryun won his only outdoor national title at the 1967 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships with his victory in the mile!
Pihl Led BYU’s Decathlon Dominance In 1975
Raimo Pihl set a meet record in the decathlon at the 1975 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships and led a dominant BYU performance.
Groenendaal Flew To Back-to-Back NCAA MRs
Claudette Groenendaal set meet records in back-to-back years in different events at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships!
Kerron Clement Had Record Speed
Kerron Clement set a world indoor record and a collegiate outdoor record at the NCAA Championships in 2005.
McWilliams Ran Into The 1500 Record Book
Tiffany McWilliams won back-to-back 1500-meter crowns at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which included a three-second victory in 2003 where she set the collegiate record of 4:06.75.
Carter’s Shot Put Prowess Was Legendary
Michael Carter, patriarch of the famed Carter family, won three shot put titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in his career!
Lendore Capped Dream Year At NCAAs
Deon Lendore won the 400, clocked a 44.10 anchor leg on the winning 4×400 relay team and guided Texas A&M to a runner-up finish in the 4×100 relay at the 2014 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Butler Starred With Three 3K Victories
Kathy Butler of Wisconsin won three consecutive 3000-meter titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships from 1995 to 1997.
Myricks Starred Across Divisions At NCAAs
Larry Myricks of Mississippi College won two long jump titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in his career.
Thomas Rose To Occasion In The High Jump
Mazel Thomas won the high jump at the 1987 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships after finishing runner-up to a teammate at the NCAA DII meet two weeks earlier.