Wottle Leads Eight Men Under Four Minutes

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Wottle Leads Eight Men Under Four Minutes

June 9, 1973

On this day in 1973, Dave Wottle of Bowling Green led eight runners under the 4-minute barrier for the mile – just the second time such depth had occurred anywhere in the world.

Wottle was the defending champion, but he was more prominently known as the reigning Olympic 800-meter gold medalist, having won the 1972 Munich Games with a devastating kick that brought him from last to first over the final 200 meters. And just like then, he ran here with his trademark golf cap.

So while Wottle had the pedigree, many in attendance at the NCAA Championships wondered if anybody would break 4 minutes as the leader hit 3:02.6 at the bell (Wottle, himself, came through in 3:03.8). They could rest assured that Wottle would do his part as he turned on his trademark kick.

Wottle closed in 53.3 seconds to finish in 3:57.1, just 0.2 seconds ahead of runner-up Tony Waldrop of North Carolina in 3:57.3, who clocked his last lap in 52.8. That 3:57.1 by Wottle is a meet record that will likely never be broken as the event has been contested at 1500 meters outdoors since 1976. 

“Nobody wanted to set the pace in that heat,” Wottle told the press after the meet. “They thought they might kill themselves. A lot of people held back … but it doesn’t bother you on the last lap.”

posted: June 9, 2020
1921-2021
The NCAA's First Championships

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.

Memorable Moments
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
June 11, 2016

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).