McCullouch Ran Legendary Times At NCAAs
An amazing collection of talent graced the 120-yard hurdles final at the 1967 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
The meet’s past two winners – Southern California’s Paul Kerry (1965) and Ron Copeland of UCLA (1966) – were joined by three upcoming greats who were in their first year of varsity eligibility: sophomores Richmond Flowers (Tennessee) and Erv Hall (Villanova), along with junior college transfer Earl McCullouch (USC).
With the meet being held at high altitude in BYU’s Cougar Stadium in Provo, Utah, fast times were expected and the meet record of 13.6 (co-held by Kerry) was equaled in the heats by Flowers and McCullouch despite each running into a headwind.
Day 2 of the three-day meet had both the semifinals and final scheduled. In the first semi, Flowers lowered the MR to 13.4 as Copeland was also under the old record at 13.5. McCullouch won the second semi in 13.5 as both races were again run into the wind.
The final came an hour later. McCullouch and Flowers were both great starters, but the Trojan was easily out best and led at the first hurdle, a lead that held up all the way to the end. McCullouch hit the last two barriers, which allowed Flowers to nearly catch him as McCullouch equaled the MR of 13.4 while Flowers ran 13.5, again into the wind. Hall (13.5) and Copeland (13.6) followed while Kerry (13.9) was sixth.
The finish was actually much closer – Bulova Phototimer results showed McCullouch and Flowers with auto times of 13.47 and 13.50, respectively.
McCullouch, however, wasn’t done.
The next day, he teamed with three 100-yard finalists for the 4×110-yard relay, in which USC was heavily favored – just a week earlier, the foursome of McCullouch, Fred Kuller, O.J. Simpson and Lennox Miller set a world record of 39.0. Here they went even faster at 38.6 to win by a whopping 1.7 seconds – still the largest margin in event history (men or women).
McCullouch got his own world record in the summer of 1967, tying the 110-meter hurdle standard of 13.2.
In 1968, McCullouch again won the NCAA 120 highs (another close finish as he and Hall tied the MR at 13.4), and the same USC 440 relay team won again, though “only” in 39.5. McCullouch chose a pro football career late in the summer of 1968 after being drafted by the Detroit Lions as a wide receiver.
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.
Iowa’s Gordon Made Competition Pay In LJ
Edward Gordon won three consecutive long jump titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships from 1929 to 1931.
Powell Capped Career With 2006 Masterpiece
Ginnie Powell won back-to-back 100H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2005 & 2006. Powell set a collegiate record with her 12.48 from that second year.
Fromm Rewrote NCAA Javelin History
John Fromm won back-to-back javelin titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1957 & 1958. Fromm set MRs each time, hitting 257-1 (78.36m) in that second year.
Allen Sealed Oregon’s Title With 110H MR
Devon Allen won two career 110H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Allen set a MR of 13.16 in 2014.
Deniz Won Epic Discus Final In 1983
Leslie Deniz won the discus throw at the 1983 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a MR heave of 63.96m (209-10).
Fonville Made Shot Put History In 1947
Charles Fonville won back-to-back shot put titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1947 & 1948. His best mark came in 1947 when he won at 16.73m (54‑10⅞).
Montana’s Brown Set Two MRs in 1965
Doug Brown completed the 3-mile/6-mile double at the 1965 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships with MRs in each event: 13:40.2 in the 3-mile, 27:59.2 in the 6-mile.
Hook ‘Em, Courtney: Okolo Starred At NCAAs
Courtney Okolo won two career 400-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Okolo’s 50.23 winner from 2014 is the fastest mark by a sophomore in meet history.
UTEP’s Munyala Dominated The Steeplechase
James Munyala won three consecutive steeplechase titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 1975 & 1977. He set a MR of 8:24.86 in 1976.
UCLA’s Johnson Set MRs In Back-To-Back Years
Sheena Johnson won back-to-back 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2003 & 2004. Johnson set MRs each time: 54.24 (2003) & 53.54 (2004).