O-H-I- … Oh, What A Race By Davis!
The 440-yard final at the 1958 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships was a unique matchup: It featured – at the time – the world’s two fastest in the history of the 400-meter hurdles: Ohio State’s Glenn Davis and Eddie Southern of Texas.
The pair collected gold and silver medals in 1956 as Davis led an American 400H sweep in the Melbourne Olympics. They were also the first – and still only at the time – to run under 50 seconds in the event as Davis (49.5) and Southern (49.7) went 1-2 in an incredible Olympic Trials.
But the NCAA Championships in 1958 were one year away from holding the 400 hurdles on a regular basis, so each went to their 1a event – the one-lap race without hurdles, in which both had shining credentials. Davis had tied the 440-yard world record of 45.8 in winning the Big Ten Championships and Southern was hot off back-to-back 45.9 wins in west coast invitationals.
The NCAA final in Berkeley seemed to favor Southern, who lined up in lane 4 while Davis drew lane 8. In fact, as Cordner Nelson of Track & Field News reported, Southern had a clear lead early – but Davis caught him entering the homestretch and pulled away to a WR 45.7 in his final race as a Buckeye. Southern, who tied up near the finish, was second in 46.5 – equal to the meet’s previous low-altitude best (He would win the 440 the next year).
The WR for Davis – amazingly his only NCAA title – added to his legacy as the only athlete to hold world records in both one-lap events, the 400/440 and 400 hurdles. Later that summer, Davis lowered his 400 hurdles WR to 49.2 and in 1960, became the first repeat Olympic gold medalist in the event.
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).