Illinois’ Kerr Went Back-To-Back At NCAAs
By all accounts, George Kerr was an excellent quarter-miler.
Yet, as a sophomore at Illinois – when he had the fifth-fastest 400/440 time in the world – he chose to run the 880 yards at the 1958 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Berkeley, California.
Kerr didn’t make that final, but by 1959 he showed half-mile talents rarely seen.
At the 1959 NCAA meet in Lincoln, Nebraska, Kerr won the 880 by 1.9 seconds in 1:47.8 with a blistering last half lap. That was equal to the third-fastest yet seen in meet history.
Fans at the Drake Relays knew he could still run faster. They witnessed Kerr split a 1:46.6 for the 880 of a world-best sprint medley when the 880 world record at the time was 1:46.8. He followed that with a 45.7 split in the mile relay less than an hour later – the WR was 45.7 at the time.
Kerr’s final race as a collegian came at the 1960 NCAA Outdoor Championships, back again at Berkeley’s Edwards Stadium. The race – held at the Olympic distance of 800 meters instead of the then-normal 880 yards – was a classic.
The first lap was led by Stanford’s Ernie Cunliffe in 51.7 with Kerr in second until he stormed to the front on the last turn. He held his lead for an amazing time of 1:46.4, a new meet and collegiate record that made him third-fastest in world history.
Behind Kerr, Cal’s Jerry Siebert had come from further back to also pass Cunliffe and finished in at PR 1:46.9, also under the old MR.
While that top-3 all made the Rome Olympics later that summer, only Kerr medaled. He did so with two bronze medals, once in the 800 and then again anchoring his native Jamaica 4×400 team.
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).