Florida State’s England Kicked To 1500 CR
A win was all that Hannah England of Florida State was looking for in the 1500 meters at the 2008 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.
A fast time didn’t seem likely with a hard-blowing wind gusting to 25 mph (+10 m/s).
Still, defending champ Brie Felnagle of North Carolina led the field on a pace challenging the meet (and collegiate) record of 4:06.75.
After two laps, a tight leading group had a new leader in Sally Kipyego of Texas Tech, with England close behind as the pace remained in the same record-breaking neighborhood.
Kipyego had already made history the night before, winning the 5000 meters in a meet record 15:15.08 to win by more than 30 seconds – that completed her record second “triple crown” of distance titles. Kipyego had become well-suited in the 1500 as well, having lowered her PR by some 10 seconds with a regional victory at 4:11.79.
England – with a PR of 4:12.24 from a month earlier – was staying close, ready to unleash her potent kick when the time was right.
With a lap to go Kipyego still led with England right there. With 200 to go, England was ready to pass, but her coach, Karen Harvey, urged her to wait until the final 100, which is when England bolted to the lead.
Both sped down the homestretch with the wind at their back. Each was under the old CR – England at 4:06.19, Kipyego at 4:06.75. Tennessee’s Sarah Bowman was next at 4:07.50 as the top-7 all set PRs.
England and Kipyego would eventually earn major global silver medals – England in the 2011 World Championships 1500 for Great Britain, Kipyego in the 2012 Olympics and 2011 Worlds 10K for Kenya. Kipyego is now an American and earned a berth on the 2020 U.S. Olympic team in the marathon.
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.
Providence’s Smith Left Field In The Dust
Kim Smith won the 5000 meters at the 2004 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships by 36.04 seconds in 15:48.86 for the largest margin of victory in meet history.
Gatlin Doubled Up In Back-To-Back Years
Justin Gatlin completed back-to-back 100-200 doubles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2001 & 2002. He went 10.08/20.11 & 10.22/20.18 in those respective years.
UTEP’s Hoglund First To Crack 70-Foot Barrier
Hans Hoglund was the first man to touch the 70-foot barrier in the SP at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He also won by more than 4 feet with his 21.33m (70-0) heave in 1975.
LSU’s Hobbs Couldn’t Be Caught In 2018
Aleia Hobbs anchored LSU to a 4×100 relay MR of 42.25 & then doubled back to win the 100 by 0.23 seconds at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships.
Michael Johnson Had 1990 NCAAs To Remember
All eyes were on Michael Johnson of Baylor in the 4×400-meter relay at the 1990 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Riley Completed Unprecedented Double In 2012
Andrew Riley completed the only 100-110H double in NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships history in 2012. Riley won the 100 in 10.27 & then captured the 110H crown in 13.53
Leatherwood Rolled To Back-To-Back 400 Titles
Lillie Leatherwood won back-to-back 400-meter titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1986 & 1987. She set a meet record of 50.90 in that second year.
Iowa’s Jones Made Distance History
Charles “Deacon” Jones set a meet record in the 2-mile at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships with his time of 8:57.6.
Locke Doubled Up On Sprint Titles In 1926
Roland Locke entered the 1926 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships as the WR holder in the 220. He left with the meet record in that event (20.9) & also won the 100 in 9.9.
McLain Bounded To All-Conditions TJ Best
Erica McLain won the triple jump at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships by nearly two feet! McLain bounded to an all-conditions meet best at 14.60m (47-11).