Coburn Picked Up Where She Left Off
If it weren’t for an incredibly successful redshirt year in 2012 where she won the U.S. title and finished eighth at the London Olympic Games in the steeplechase, Emma Coburn probably would have become the first woman in NCAA Division I history to capture three consecutive national titles in that event and broken the collegiate record established by another former Colorado great.
After all, Coburn topped the podium in both 2011 and 2013 and dipped under the collegiate record while competing unattached at the 2012 Prefontaine Classic with what was the fastest time ever run by an American on U.S. soil (Jenny Barringer went 9:25.54 in 2009; Coburn clocked her 9:25.28 in 2012).
Coburn entered the 2011 season as the next in line for the steeplechase throne as the top returning finisher from the previous year. The now 30-year-old Crested Butte, Colorado native finished a distant runner-up to Bridget Franek of Penn State, who posted the third largest margin of victory in meet history at 13 seconds.
It’s safe to say Coburn ran like a champion all season, snagging event titles at the always-stacked Payton Jordan Invitational in early May and then at the Big 12 Championships two weeks later. Fast forward to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in June and Coburn established the tempo for most of the race, before pulling away late for a six-second victory in 9:41.14.
Coburn returned to the collegiate scene in 2013 fresh off that aforementioned standout redshirt year. Using that confidence – and the swagger gained from winning her second NCAA title (This one came indoors in the mile) – Coburn cruised to victory once again at the Payton Jordan Invitational, added the Pac-12 Conference crown to her haul and then clocked the third fastest time in NCAA meet history with her winning mark of 9:35.38.
After wrapping up her collegiate career, Coburn truly hit her stride. Coburn won seven more U.S. steeplechase titles – including each of the past six – and became the first American woman to win a global gold medal in the steeplechase, doing so at the 2017 World Championships in London.
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.
Mikkola Set Javelin MR With Huge Win
Esko Mikkola was a two-time JT winner at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Mikkola won in 1998, he set a MR of 81.86m (268‑7) and won by 17 feet!
Little Made Big 400H History
Shamier Little won three consecutive 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 2014 & 2016. Little became the No. 2 performer in collegiate history with her 53.51 winner in 2016.
Comenentia Completed Historic Double In 2018
Denzel Comenentia became only the third man in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to complete the HT-SP double back in 2018.
Ellerbe Won After Film Review In 1939
Mozelle Ellerbe won back-to-back 100-yard dash titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1938 & 1939. His victory in the 2nd year was confirmed by a film review.
Saunders Won Back-To-Back SP Titles, Set CR
Raven Saunders won back-to-back SP titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2015 & 2016. Saunders set a CR & MR of 19.33m (63-5) in that second year.
McCullouch Ran Legendary Times At NCAAs
Earl McCullouch of Southern California won back-to-back 120H titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was a member of a WR-setting quarter-mile relay team.
Hook ‘Em, Leo: Manzano Made 1500 History
Leo Manzano was the first male freshman in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to win the 1500/mile in 2005. Manzano added a 2nd title to his haul in 2008.
Walton Started It All In The 800
Delisa Walton won the first women’s 800 at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1982. Walton is the mother of Ebonie Floyd, who finished 2nd in the 2007 100.
Rupp Capped Sensational Senior Year In 2009
Galen Rupp completed an unprecedented year at the 2009 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships when he swept the 5K & 10K.
Gipson, Ugen Made Long Jump History
Whitney Gipson & Lorraine Ugen were the first teammates to win women’s long jump titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in consecutive years (Gipson in 2012; Ugen in 2013).