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.
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.
Sternberg Reached New Heights In 1963
Brian Sternberg won the pole vault title at the 1963 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He was the first athlete to clear 16 feet in meet history at 4.97m (16-3¾).
Williams Went Back-To-Back With CR In 1996
Tonya Williams won back-to-back 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1995 & 1996. She set a CR of 54.56 in 1996 & won by 0.35 seconds.
Kimobwa Ran Into Record Book In 1977
Samson Kimobwa set a MR in the 10K of 28:10.27 at the 1977 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He won by 12.21 seconds in a race that saw the top-2 finishers under previous meet record.
Florida’s Taylor Set All-Conditions TJ Best In 2011
Christian Taylor set an all-conditions meet best in the triple jump of 17.80m (58-4¾) at the 2011 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Taylor also won the TJ crown in 2010.
Johnson Led 1-2-3 HJ Sweep By Arizona In 1985
Katrena Johnson led a 1-2-3 finish by Arizona athletes in the high jump at the 1985 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Johnson cleared 1.94m (6-4¼) to set a collegiate record.
Fresno State’s Robinson Equaled WR In 1957
Ancel Robinson equaled the world record in the 220H of 22.2 at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. He also matched the American record & collegiate record.
Johnson Set 1500 MR After Thrilling Duel
Sinclaire Johnson set a meet record in the 1500 of 4:05.98 at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Johnson won an epic duel against Jessica Hull of Oregon.
Bohni Soared To Pole Vault MR In 1983
Felix Bohni set a meet record in the pole vault of 5.55m (18‑2½) at the 1983 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Bohni was one of three men to top 18 feet.
Frerichs Broke Steeplechase Records In 2016
Courtney Frerichs set a collegiate record in the steeplechase of 9:24.41 at the 2016 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Frerichs won by the second largest margin in meet history.
URI’s Black Rolled To NCAA’s 1st 10K Title
Robert Black won the first 10,000-meter title ever awarded at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1948. Black crossed the finish line in 32:13.5, 48 seconds ahead of the runner-up.