Coghlan Made History In Back-To-Back Years
The last mile race contested at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships did not figure to be fast.
Not because the 1975 meet was lacking in fast milers, but rather the site of BYU’s Cougar Stadium in Provo, Utah – approximately 4600 feet (1400 meters) above sea level.
It would be the first race of any kind at such a high altitude for Eamonn Coghlan of Villanova, whose unbelievable spring was highlighted by a scorching 3:53.3 three weeks earlier.
Two altitude-based runners – defending NCAA champion Paul Cummings of BYU and UTEP’s Wilson Waigwa – loomed as the biggest challengers. Cummings owned the stadium record at 4:01.0 but was solidly beaten by Waigwa in the Western Athletic Conference meet – held at nearby Salt Lake City – in 4:00.8. Waigwa owned an impressive PR of 3:55.6.
The altitude proved to be little issue for Coghlan, who stuck near Cummings as the Cougar led on his home track through three laps at 3:03.0. Coghlan had brief control going into the final backstretch before Waigwa took the lead going into the final turn, but Coghlan overtook him on the homestretch with his signature burst of finishing speed.
Coghlan – whose name is pronounced “Ay-mun Cogk-lun” – was ever-so-close to becoming the first collegian to run sub-4 at altitude, clocking 4:00.06. The meet’s previous altitude best was set on the same track in 1967 when Jim Ryun – then the world record holder – won the NCAA meet in 4:03.5.
Coghlan followed the next year with an NCAA victory in the now-standard championship outdoor distance of 1500 meters in a meet-record 3:37.01. He also won two NCAA titles in the indoor mile, an event in which he would later set three world records and become known as “The Chairman of the Boards.”
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).