“California Comet” Doubled Up At NCAAs
Harold “Hal” Davis needed no introduction for his first foray into the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which was back in 1942 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Davis – nicknamed of the “California Comet” – had already equaled the world record in the 100 yards (9.4) and 100 meters (10.2), both initially set by Jesse Owens.
Most fans expected a pair of big sprint duels with Davis battling Penn State’s Barney Ewell, who won the 1940 and 1941 NCAA titles in both sprints while Davis was in Salinas JC (now Hartnell College).
Great duels came, but not with Ewell, who didn’t even start the preliminaries after an injury in the long jump trials. Instead the threat came from Leo Tarrant of Alabama State (then known as Alabama State Teachers College). Tarrant had beaten Ewell earlier in the year at the Penn Relays 100 yards.
The sprint prelims gave fans a taste of what was to come as Davis edged Tarrant in the 100-yard heats and Tarrant registered the fastest time in the 220 heats (21.7 to 21.9 for Davis).
The 100 final proved to be the closest, as Davis edged Tarrant with both receiving times of 9.6. Davis followed later with a much easier win in the 220 in 21.2 with Tarrant second.
Davis matched his double sprint wins in the 1943 NCAA meet at Northwestern’s Dyche Stadium in Evanston, Illinois. His second pair of wins made him the fourth such successful sprinter in meet history, joining Ralph Metcalfe (three times, 1932-34), Owens (1935-36) and Ewell (1940-41). Only three other men (and no women) have since had multiple NCAA DI double-sprint sweeps – Mel Patton (1948-49), Bobby Morrow (1956-57) and Justin Gatlin (2001-02).
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.
Bagyula Boasted Incredible Pole Vault Prowess
Istvan Bagyula won three consecutive pole vault titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 1990 & 1992. He was the first to clear 19 feet (5.80m) in 1991.
Rotich Went Back-To-Back-To-Back In Steeple
Anthony Rotich won three consecutive steeplechase titles, doing so from 2013 to 2015. His 8:21.19 from 2013 is the ninth fastest mark in meet history.
Lawrence Twins Doubled Down On Outdoor Crowns
Twins Shadae & Shardia Lawrence both won titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships: Shardae in the discus (2017); Shardia in the triple jump (2019).
Sink Steepled Into The Record Book
Sid Sink won back-to-back titles in the steeplechase at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1970 & 1971. He set meet records in each of those years.
Georgia Tech’s Taylor Triumphed In 1998
Angelo Taylor won the 400 Hurdles and doubled back to anchor the winning 4×400 relay team at the 1998 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Tennessee’s Skinner Set Javelin MR In 1970
Bill Skinner set a meet record in the javelin of 82.49m (270-8) at the 1970 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships.
Turner Left No Doubt In 800 Meters
Inez Turner won the 800 meters at the 1995 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships by 2.24 seconds for what is still the largest margin of victory in meet history.
Cheruiyot Won By Slim Margin In 1989
Kip Cheruiyot beat teammate Peter Rono by 0.03 seconds in the 1500 at the 1989 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. It was the closest margin of victory since the NCAA adopted FAT.
Emordi Led Texas Southern 1-2 LJ Finish In 1987
Paul Emordi led the only 1-2 finish by teammates in the men’s long jump at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1987. Emordi won with a leap of 8.25m (27-0¾).
Anchor Down: Tolbert Set 400H CR In 1997
Ryan Tolbert set a collegiate record in the 400 Hurdles of 54.54 at the 1997 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. Tolbert also finished third in the open 400!