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.
Sternberg Reached New Heights In 1963
Brian Sternberg won the pole vault title at the 1963 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He was the first athlete to clear 16 feet in meet history at 4.97m (16-3¾).
Williams Went Back-To-Back With CR In 1996
Tonya Williams won back-to-back 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1995 & 1996. She set a CR of 54.56 in 1996 & won by 0.35 seconds.
Kimobwa Ran Into Record Book In 1977
Samson Kimobwa set a MR in the 10K of 28:10.27 at the 1977 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He won by 12.21 seconds in a race that saw the top-2 finishers under previous meet record.
Florida’s Taylor Set All-Conditions TJ Best In 2011
Christian Taylor set an all-conditions meet best in the triple jump of 17.80m (58-4¾) at the 2011 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Taylor also won the TJ crown in 2010.
Johnson Led 1-2-3 HJ Sweep By Arizona In 1985
Katrena Johnson led a 1-2-3 finish by Arizona athletes in the high jump at the 1985 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Johnson cleared 1.94m (6-4¼) to set a collegiate record.
Fresno State’s Robinson Equaled WR In 1957
Ancel Robinson equaled the world record in the 220H of 22.2 at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. He also matched the American record & collegiate record.
Johnson Set 1500 MR After Thrilling Duel
Sinclaire Johnson set a meet record in the 1500 of 4:05.98 at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Johnson won an epic duel against Jessica Hull of Oregon.
Bohni Soared To Pole Vault MR In 1983
Felix Bohni set a meet record in the pole vault of 5.55m (18‑2½) at the 1983 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Bohni was one of three men to top 18 feet.
Frerichs Broke Steeplechase Records In 2016
Courtney Frerichs set a collegiate record in the steeplechase of 9:24.41 at the 2016 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Frerichs won by the second largest margin in meet history.
URI’s Black Rolled To NCAA’s 1st 10K Title
Robert Black won the first 10,000-meter title ever awarded at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1948. Black crossed the finish line in 32:13.5, 48 seconds ahead of the runner-up.