Bohni Soared To Pole Vault MR In 1983

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Bohni Soared To Pole Vault MR In 1983

June 4, 1983

Felix Bohni of San Jose State showed how valuable a clean sheet is in the vertical jumps.

The pole vault was a tight competition at the 1983 NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships inside Houston’s Robertson Stadium, and Bohni was one of three remaining as the bar rose to the meet record height of 5.55m (18-2½).

The other two – Brad Pursley of Abilene Christian and Joe Dial of Oklahoma State – had already gone higher in the outdoor season. Pursley, in fact, held the collegiate record at 5.75m (18-10¼).

Bohni and Dial cleared the MR on their first attempt, while Pursley needed two tries to get over, marking the first time in meet history that three vaulters cleared 18-feet.

When none of the trio could negotiate the next height of 5.64m (18-6), the places were determined on tie-breaking procedures, and Bohni’s clean record through the final height of 5.55m (18-2½) proved to be the difference for victory.

Interestingly, Bohni won the NCAA Indoor earlier in the year over Pursley as both set the MR at 5.63m (18-5½). While Bohni’s slate included some misses, his total was fewer than Pursley’s, giving the nod to Bohni.

posted: February 14, 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).