“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.
Mikkola Set Javelin MR With Huge Win
Esko Mikkola was a two-time JT winner at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Mikkola won in 1998, he set a MR of 81.86m (268‑7) and won by 17 feet!
Little Made Big 400H History
Shamier Little won three consecutive 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 2014 & 2016. Little became the No. 2 performer in collegiate history with her 53.51 winner in 2016.
Comenentia Completed Historic Double In 2018
Denzel Comenentia became only the third man in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to complete the HT-SP double back in 2018.
Ellerbe Won After Film Review In 1939
Mozelle Ellerbe won back-to-back 100-yard dash titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1938 & 1939. His victory in the 2nd year was confirmed by a film review.
Saunders Won Back-To-Back SP Titles, Set CR
Raven Saunders won back-to-back SP titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2015 & 2016. Saunders set a CR & MR of 19.33m (63-5) in that second year.
McCullouch Ran Legendary Times At NCAAs
Earl McCullouch of Southern California won back-to-back 120H titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was a member of a WR-setting quarter-mile relay team.
Hook ‘Em, Leo: Manzano Made 1500 History
Leo Manzano was the first male freshman in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to win the 1500/mile in 2005. Manzano added a 2nd title to his haul in 2008.
Walton Started It All In The 800
Delisa Walton won the first women’s 800 at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1982. Walton is the mother of Ebonie Floyd, who finished 2nd in the 2007 100.
Rupp Capped Sensational Senior Year In 2009
Galen Rupp completed an unprecedented year at the 2009 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships when he swept the 5K & 10K.
Gipson, Ugen Made Long Jump History
Whitney Gipson & Lorraine Ugen were the first teammates to win women’s long jump titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in consecutive years (Gipson in 2012; Ugen in 2013).