Flo Knows Winning Triple Jump Titles
Edrick Floréal was known as a big-meet performer and it showed in his final competition for Arkansas in the 1990 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Floréal was aiming to be the meet’s first athlete to win three consecutive triple jump titles, but in round five he got a wakeup call – Festus Igbinoghene of Mississippi State came within 1 cm (less than half an inch) of the lead.
That was too close for comfort for Floréal, who had won his previous four NCAA titles (two outdoor, two indoor) by more than a foot. Floréal responded with a two-foot improvement and recorded the year’s best collegiate jump at 17.23m (56-6½).
“I’m pleased with my jump,” Floréal said afterward. “I’m a little disappointed because of losing the team title.” Arkansas, one of the pre-meet favorites, finished second.
It was the second time Floréal (pronounced “flo-ree-AL”) contributed 18 points for the Razorbacks in a national championship (He also finished runner-up in the long jump). The first time came indoors in 1989 when he accounted for more than half of the team points as Arkansas won its closest team battle in all of its 30 track & field national titles.
At the 1989 NCAA Indoor Championships, Floréal was in the midst of the triple jump as Joe Falcon – favored for a third-straight 3000-meter title – uncharacteristically began to falter.
“When I watched Joe in the 3000, I panicked,” Floréal told Dick Denny of the Indianapolis News. “I knew I had to win the triple jump. When I have pressure on my back, I usually perform well.”
Sure enough, Floréal – who was second earlier in the long jump with a PR 7.98m (26-2¼) – added a then-PR 17.14m (56-2¾) to win his first indoor title and seal the team crown.
Floréal was inducted to the Athletics Canada Hall of Fame in 2019 and still owns Canadian records outdoors and indoors in the triple jump, as well as the outdoor long jump.
After retiring as an athlete, Floréal became one of the nation’s most prominent coaches. He currently leads the Texas programs after successful stints at Kentucky and Stanford.
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).