Gophers’ Gordien Golden With The Disc
Did Minnesota have a shot at the team title in the 1948 NCAA Outdoor Championships?
The hosts were only fourth in the Big Ten Championships, but after first-day qualifying a title looked possible after advancing six to the finals. Two of those spots were courtesy of Fortune Gordien, the Gophers’ high-point man from 1947 when Minnesota finished third as a team.
The first final for Gordien – pronounced “GORE-dean” – was the shot put, and a 52-7¼ (16.03m) effort moved him up from fourth in qualifying to a career-best second place in the event, worth eight points in team scoring.
That left only the discus for Gordien, who had won the last two NCAA titles in the event. What figured to be an easy 10 points became a nail-biting 10 points as Gordien won by just three inches at 164-6 (50.14m). Individually, Gordien made history as the event’s first four-time scorer – his third-straight title was preceded by a runner-up finish in 1943 before spending two years in the Navy.
Still, team points-wise, Minnesota needed more to win. The Gophers were at 36, while Southern California was sitting at 35½. As the meet wound down to a close each squad had only one opportunity for points, and both were in events rarely contested in those days – the 400-meter hurdles and the triple jump.
The Trojans moved up to 41½ after the last track event. Meanwhile, Minnesota had Lloyd LaMois in a very competitive triple jump. LaMois – competing in the then-named hop, skip and jump for the second time in his life – came through as a hero, winning at 45-10 (13.97m) to put the Gophers at 46 points and claim the school’s first – and still only – NCAA track & field team title.
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.
Sternberg Reached New Heights In 1963
Brian Sternberg won the pole vault title at the 1963 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He was the first athlete to clear 16 feet in meet history at 4.97m (16-3¾).
Williams Went Back-To-Back With CR In 1996
Tonya Williams won back-to-back 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1995 & 1996. She set a CR of 54.56 in 1996 & won by 0.35 seconds.
Kimobwa Ran Into Record Book In 1977
Samson Kimobwa set a MR in the 10K of 28:10.27 at the 1977 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He won by 12.21 seconds in a race that saw the top-2 finishers under previous meet record.
Florida’s Taylor Set All-Conditions TJ Best In 2011
Christian Taylor set an all-conditions meet best in the triple jump of 17.80m (58-4¾) at the 2011 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Taylor also won the TJ crown in 2010.
Johnson Led 1-2-3 HJ Sweep By Arizona In 1985
Katrena Johnson led a 1-2-3 finish by Arizona athletes in the high jump at the 1985 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Johnson cleared 1.94m (6-4¼) to set a collegiate record.
Fresno State’s Robinson Equaled WR In 1957
Ancel Robinson equaled the world record in the 220H of 22.2 at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. He also matched the American record & collegiate record.
Johnson Set 1500 MR After Thrilling Duel
Sinclaire Johnson set a meet record in the 1500 of 4:05.98 at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Johnson won an epic duel against Jessica Hull of Oregon.
Bohni Soared To Pole Vault MR In 1983
Felix Bohni set a meet record in the pole vault of 5.55m (18‑2½) at the 1983 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Bohni was one of three men to top 18 feet.
Frerichs Broke Steeplechase Records In 2016
Courtney Frerichs set a collegiate record in the steeplechase of 9:24.41 at the 2016 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Frerichs won by the second largest margin in meet history.
URI’s Black Rolled To NCAA’s 1st 10K Title
Robert Black won the first 10,000-meter title ever awarded at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1948. Black crossed the finish line in 32:13.5, 48 seconds ahead of the runner-up.