UGA’s Torrence Made NCAA History With Double

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

UGA’s Torrence Made NCAA History With Double

It was finally Gwen Torrence’s time in the spotlight.

The Georgia senior was looking for her first title at the 1987 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, having been runner-up in the 100 and 200 meters the year before.

Torrence got two.

In both races, Torrence was also looking to avenge recent losses, having finished third in the 100 and second in the 200 at the SEC Outdoor Championships three weeks earlier.

Goal No. 1 was accomplished in Friday evening’s 200 final. Alabama’s Lillie Leatherwood lined up one lane inside of Torrence, who needed to improve her curve running from the SEC race where Leatherwood’s 22.38 beat Torrence’s 22.49.

In the NCAA race, Torrence followed her coach’s advice perfectly – “run the curve hard and make them come and get me,” except no one caught her as the Lady Bulldog held her lead all the way to finish that was almost a complete reversal from three weeks earlier (a wind-aided 22.37 ahead of Leatherwood at 22.51).

“I’m very happy,” Torrence gushed afterwards. “Words can’t describe how I feel right now.”

But there was still Saturday night’s 100, a potent field where Torrence would face 1985 NCAA champ Michelle Finn of Florida State, UCLA’s Gail Devers and two who had beaten her at the SEC meet in Pauline Davis of Alabama and Sheila Echols of LSU.

Attention centered on the middle of the track as Echols got the best start in lane 4. Just past the halfway point, Torrence (lane 5) and Devers (lane 6) edged ahead and waged a duel for first place. Torrence held off Devers, clocking a PR 11.25 after having been runner-up in the 1985 and 1986 NCAA meets. Devers finished second in 11.30.

As a post-collegian Torrence had a stellar career, winning gold at the 1992 Olympics (200) and 1995 World Championships (100) and adding two more golds in each meet as anchor of the U.S. 4×100-meter relay team from 1992-96.

posted: April 23, 2021
1921-2021
The NCAA's First Championships

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.

Memorable Moments
Reese Left Her Mark On NCAA LJ
June 12, 2008

Brittney Reese won the long jump at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a mark of 6.93m (22-9). Reese missed the meet record by just 1cm (½ inch).

Tupuritis Shocked The Field In 1996
May 31, 1996

Einars Tupuritis won the 800 at the 1996 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 0.14 seconds! Turpiritis crossed the finish line in 1:45.08.

Ellis Sent USC To A Thrilling Victory
June 9, 2018

Kendall Ellis had a remarkable come-from-behind victory in the 4×400 relay at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships that sent Southern California to the meet title.