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.
Ritchie Doubles Down In The Throws
Meg Ritchie of Arizona became the first woman in the history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships to win any two events in 1982.
Three-For-Three: Woodruff Made It Look Easy
John Woodruff of Pittsburgh won three consecutive 800/880 titles at the NCAA Track & Field Championships from 1937 to 1939.
The Tie Goes To The Runner(s)
Bill Straub of Army and Jim Murphy of Air Force TIED for the 5000-meter title at the 1964 NCAA Track & Field Championships!
Ottey’s Audacious Quadruple In 1983
Merlene Ottey of Nebraska sought to win NCAA titles in the 100, 200, 400 and 4×100 relay in 1983.
He’s Great: LSU’s Davis Soars To History
Walter Davis, who turns 41 today, scored 22¼ points at the 2002 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championship to lead LSU to the national team title.
Scott Neilson Is NCAA T&F’s Mr. Canada
Scott Neilson of Washington won four consecutive hammer throw titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships between 1976 and 1979.
A Crowning Moment For Rogers In 2017
Back in 2017, Raevyn Rogers of Oregon dazzled at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a victory in the 800 and a sizzling anchor on the winning 4×400 relay.
Robinson Brothers Make NCAA T&F History
Can you name the first set of siblings to win NCAA Track & Field titles? We’ll give you a hint: Their last name is Robinson.
UTEP’s Nyambui Goes 7-For-7 Outdoors
Suleiman Nyambui of UTEP never lost a race at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He went a perfect 7-for-7 over four years.
Oxy’s Gutowski Vaults To Record Heights
Bob Gutowski of Occidental won the pole vault at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor Championships with a clearance of 4.82m (15-9¾), a mark that surpassed the world record but was never ratified.