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.
Guthrie-Gresham Generates Greatness
Diane Guthrie-Gresham of George Mason broke the collegiate record in the heptathlon with 6527 points at the 1995 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Conway Raises The Bar In 1989
Hollis Conway of Southwestern Louisiana set the American record and collegiate record in the high jump at the 1989 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships!
Conley Soars; Razorbacks Complete Triple Crown
Mike Conley scored 28¾ points to lead Arkansas to its first outdoor team title, which completed the vaunted “Triple Crown,” as the program also captured the cross country and indoor titles already in the academic year.
Wisconsin’s Favor Goes Into The Record Book … Again
Suzy Favor of Wisconsin became the first woman in NCAA Division I track & field history to not only win four consecutive 1500-meter crowns, but complete the 800-1500 double at the NCAA meet.
Angela Williams Stands Tall In History
Angela Williams of Southern California was the first athlete (man or woman) to win four consecutive 100-meter titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Carlos’ Triple Leads “Speed City” Spartans
John Carlos of San Jose State became the first athlete to complete the sprint triple at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships with victories in the 100, 200 (220) and 4×100 (440-yard) relay.
Jesse Owens Completes The Quadruple-Double
ON THIS DAY: Jesse Owens completed the quadruple-double, winning four NCAA titles in two consecutive years.
“Bullet Bob” Hayes Wins Lone Shot At NCAAs
Bob Hayes of Florida A&M won his first – and only – NCAA title 56 years ago when he won the 200 meters in a wind-aided 20.4.
Southern’s Milburn Clears All Hurdles In His Way
Rodney Milburn of Southern capped a legendary collegiate career 47 years ago when he won the 120-yard high hurdles title at the 1973 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in a meet-record time of 13.1.
Sua’s Sweep Cements Unprecedented Legacy
Seilala Sua of UCLA became the most decorated individual female champion in the history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships 20 years ago.