Comenentia Completed Historic Double In 2018
Denzel Comenentia did in three hours what only two other men could do in the near 100-year history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Back in 2018, under crystal clear skies in Eugene, Oregon, Comenentia completed the third hammer throw-shot put double in meet history. Comenentia joined Jack Merchant of Cal (1922) and Cory Martin of Auburn (2008) in that regard, while only Merchant could also lay claim to the prestige of winning both events in one day (Merchant did so on June 17, 1922).
“It feels amazing,” Comenentia said after the meet. “It came so unexpectedly.”
Anybody watching Comenentia in the hammer, though, knew it was his title to lose. Even though Comenentia came in ranked No. 2 on the seasonal chart, he threw like the champion from the onset, hitting a mark of 74.65m (244-1) in Round 1 that would have won the event. He wasn’t content, knowing somebody could come from behind, so he launched the implement 76.41m (250-8) in Round 5 to put away the competition for good.
Comenentia returned to Hayward Field for the shot put later that afternoon, an event in which he owned the second-best mark on the Descending Order List at 20.88m (68-6). After Payton Otterdahl of North Dakota State, the collegiate leader, didn’t make the final, all eyes were on the former Georgia standout from the Netherlands.
It took a while for Comenentia to find his rhythm in the circle: he sat seventh through four rounds and needed a big effort in Round 5 to maintain his spot in the top-8, let alone win.
Comenentia maintained his poise – and his balance – in that fateful stanza, as he heaved the weighted orb 20.61m (67-7½) into the sector. That sent him to the top of the standings – but not to an automatic win. He and Josh Awotunde of South Carolina held their collective breath as officials measured Awotunde’s sixth-round effort. Comenentia could finally celebrate when the Gamecocks’ topper came out to 20.57m (67-6) for the second closest margin of victory since 2002.
Those 20 points by Comenentia proved even bigger later: Georgia won the team title.
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.
O-H-I- Oh, Reynolds Was Fast!
Butch Reynolds set a meet record in the 400 of 44.13 at the 1987 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. He barely missed his own collegiate record of 44.10.
Fynes Won NCAA Titles For Two Programs
Sevatheda Fynes won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. What’s even more impressive is that she did it for two programs – Eastern Michigan & Michigan State.
El Moutawakel Had Legendary Year In 1984
Nawal El Moutawakel set a meet record in the 400 hurdles of 55.84 at the 1984 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. She also won Olympic gold that year in the event.
Princeton’s Bonthron Beat WR Holder In 1934 NCAA Mile
Bill Bonthron won an epic duel in the mile at the 1934 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. Bonthron beat WR holder Glenn Cunningham, 4:08.9 MR to 4:10.6.
Georgia’s Irby Doubled Down, Set 400 MR
Lynna Irby set a meet record in the 400 of 49.80 at the 2018 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. Irby also finished third in the 200 at 22.92.
Weir Wouldn’t Be Denied In Throwing Events
Robert Weir won the hammer throw at the 1983 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships with a meet record of 74.42m (244‑2). He beat a two-time defending champ.
Pitt’s Sowell Atoned With 800 Meet Record
Arnie Sowell was a two-time champion in the 800 at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He set a collegiate record of 1:46.7 in 1956 & won by 2.5 seconds.
Florida State’s England Kicked To 1500 CR
Hannah England set a collegiate record in the 1500 of 4:06.19 at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships & led two other women under 4:08 in one of the meet’s fastest finals.
Wheeler Won An All-Time 400H Classic
Quentin Wheeler set a collegiate record in the 400 Hurdles of 48.55 at the 1976 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships.
It’s Good To Be King: Cheserek Reigned At NCAAs
Edward Cheserek won five career titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, including two 5K-10K doubles.