Dwight Stones Set High Jump WR In 1976
Dwight Stones gave clinics twice at the 1976 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.
The first clinic was one in which the reigning world record holder gave pointers in an impromptu gathering on the day between qualifying and the final.
The second one became necessary when Stones found himself in second place behind a 19-year-old pupil.
Stones, a senior at Cal State Long Beach, set the WR of 2.30m (7-6½) in the summer following his freshman year at UCLA in 1972. The record remained when Stones saw the bar raised to 2.26m (7-5) in the 1976 NCAA final when clinic No. 2 started.
Shockingly, Stones was behind.
Who was in the lead? Central Michigan freshman Mike Winsor, an attendee of Stones’ clinic!
Winsor, who entered the meet with a PR of 7-2 (2.18m), made first-attempt clearances in the final at 2.19m (7-2¼), 2.21m (7-3) and 2.24m (7-4¼), the latter a new meet record.
Stones, who had an earlier miss, matched that and then put the pressure on Winsor by clearing a new MR of 2.26m (7-5) on a first attempt. Winsor calmly followed with his fourth PR of the day, still in the lead.
So the bar went up again – to a new WR height of 2.31m (7-7). Stones gave the bar a wiggle on his first attempt, but it stayed on for a new world record. Winsor had three respectable attempts but could not match his recent teacher, who amazingly needed a WR for the victory.
Later that summer, Stones earned a second-straight Olympic bronze medal and his post-collegiate career saw a return to Franklin Field for another world record at 2.32m (7-7¼). He was the first American to jump 2.34m (7-8) as he made a third Olympics in 1984, where he finished fourth. Stones has been prominent as a broadcaster of the sport ever since.
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.
Providence’s Smith Left Field In The Dust
Kim Smith won the 5000 meters at the 2004 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships by 36.04 seconds in 15:48.86 for the largest margin of victory in meet history.
Gatlin Doubled Up In Back-To-Back Years
Justin Gatlin completed back-to-back 100-200 doubles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2001 & 2002. He went 10.08/20.11 & 10.22/20.18 in those respective years.
UTEP’s Hoglund First To Crack 70-Foot Barrier
Hans Hoglund was the first man to touch the 70-foot barrier in the SP at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He also won by more than 4 feet with his 21.33m (70-0) heave in 1975.
LSU’s Hobbs Couldn’t Be Caught In 2018
Aleia Hobbs anchored LSU to a 4×100 relay MR of 42.25 & then doubled back to win the 100 by 0.23 seconds at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships.
Michael Johnson Had 1990 NCAAs To Remember
All eyes were on Michael Johnson of Baylor in the 4×400-meter relay at the 1990 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Riley Completed Unprecedented Double In 2012
Andrew Riley completed the only 100-110H double in NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships history in 2012. Riley won the 100 in 10.27 & then captured the 110H crown in 13.53
Leatherwood Rolled To Back-To-Back 400 Titles
Lillie Leatherwood won back-to-back 400-meter titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1986 & 1987. She set a meet record of 50.90 in that second year.
Iowa’s Jones Made Distance History
Charles “Deacon” Jones set a meet record in the 2-mile at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships with his time of 8:57.6.
Locke Doubled Up On Sprint Titles In 1926
Roland Locke entered the 1926 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships as the WR holder in the 220. He left with the meet record in that event (20.9) & also won the 100 in 9.9.
McLain Bounded To All-Conditions TJ Best
Erica McLain won the triple jump at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships by nearly two feet! McLain bounded to an all-conditions meet best at 14.60m (47-11).