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.
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).