Mikkola Set Javelin MR With Huge Win

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Mikkola Set Javelin MR With Huge Win

Esko Mikkola’s third javelin throw was a big one at the 1998 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Amherst, New York.

How big? He flipped – literally.

The Arizona sophomore had opened up with a PR 76.94m (252-5), an effort that turned out to be long enough to win.

Mikkola then followed with a foul before uncorking a shocker in Round 3 at 81.86m (268-7). His huge PR was reason enough for celebration, but sailing the spear past 80 meters was the real catalyst for his back flip.

“That was my goal,” he explained. “I said if I broke 80 meters, I would do a flip.”

Winning didn’t seem like a possibility at the beginning of the week for Mikkola, who tweaked a groin muscle three days earlier in his first practice session on the campus of the University of Buffalo.

The native of Finland (a haven for javelin throwers) couldn’t explain his breakthrough performance.

“I was thinking maybe I could only win a medal,” he said. “But winning…”

Mikkola’s meet record lasted 19 years – the event’s longest duration in meet history – and he remains the meet’s third-longest thrower all-time. He was second in 1999 before closing out his collegiate career with another victory in 2000.

posted: May 16, 2021
1921-2021
The NCAA's First Championships

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.

Memorable Moments
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
June 11, 2016

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).