Foster Won All-Time Classic 110H In 1978
A great 110-meter hurdle final was anticipated at the 1978 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
It turned out to be a classic at Historic Hayward Field.
Defending champion James Owens of UCLA was the meet record holder at 13.49, but he was a decided underdog to sophomore teammate Greg Foster and Maryland freshman Renaldo Nehemiah. A month earlier, Foster edged Nehemiah, 13.34 to 13.37, as both clocked PRs at the Pepsi Invitational at UCLA’s Drake Stadium.
The NCAA final had the prime contenders in the middle of the track with Foster, Nehemiah and Owens occupying lanes 3-4-5, respectively. Owens had his normal great start and led at the first hurdle over Nehemiah and Foster.
Nehemiah had command by the fifth hurdle with Foster now ahead of Owens. Foster then began to gain on Nehemiah, catching him at the eighth barrier.
It was still either one’s race over the last two hurdles, but Foster touched down first over the final barrier and continued to lead on the run-in as Nehemiah’s lean just missed.
The times were eye-opening – Foster at 13.22, just missing the world record by 0.01 seconds and beating the American record and all-time collegiate best of 13.24 set by Rod Milburn in winning the 1972 Olympics. Nehemiah’s 13.27 gave him the world junior (U20) record and third-place Owens also PR’d at 13.46.
“It’s a surprising time considering the number of hurdles I hit,” Foster told Jon Hendershott of Track & Field News. He later recalled hitting the first barrier and hurdles 4-7. After the crossing the finish line, his knee gave out when he had to dodge a photographer.
Foster and Nehemiah battled each other many more times in a long rivalry, including the 1979 NCAA rematch won by Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a three-time world record holder whose haul included the collegiate record of 13.00 that lasted until 2019, while Foster would go on to win the first three World Championships (1983, 1987, 1991).
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.
SIU’s Roggy Dominated The Javelin In 1978
Bob Roggy won the javelin title at the 1978 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by more than 20 feet. Roggy qualified first for the final with a MR heave of 89.30m (293‑0).
Makusha Made History In Bowerman Year Of 2011
Ngoni Makusha became just the fourth man in meet history to win individual titles in both the 100 and LJ. It was his 3rd career LJ crown and he set a CR in the 100 of 9.89.
George Mason’s Gage Shocked The NCAA LJ In 1988
Nena Gage won the long jump at the 1988 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in a shocking upset over Gail Devers.
Texas’ Thompson Marveled In NCAA Distance Events
Jerry Thompson won three career distance titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. His first came in 1943. Then he won again in 1947 & 1948 after serving in World War II.
Grinnell’s Paulu Sprinted To NCAA History
Leonard Paulu was the first athlete to complete the 100-200 double in NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships history in 1922. That also made him the 1st to win back-to-back 100 titles, too.
Scott Won Back-To-Back NCAA Hammer Titles
Candice Scott won back-to-back hammer throw titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2003 & 2004. Scott set a meet record of 69.77m (228-11) in that first year.
Drouin Soared To The Bowerman In 2013
Derek Drouin won two career HJ titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Drouin won in 2013, he was only the fourth man to clear 2.34m (7-8) in meet history.
Watts Made Quick Work Of NCAA 400
Quincy Watts set a meet record in the 400 of 44.00 at the 1992 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships. It lasted 25 years until 2017.
Iowa State’s Koll Rolled To 5K-10K Crowns
Lisa Koll won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in dominant fashion. Her average margin of victory in those 5K & 10K races was 37.73 seconds.
LSU’s Hardin Completed Unique 440-220H Double Twice
The nearly unheard of 440-220H double was so nice that Glenn Hardin did it twice! Hardin became the first to do so in meet history in 1933 and then swept them again in 1934.