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.
Carr Displayed His World Record Speed
Henry Carr set a meet record in the 220 yards of 20.5 at the 1963 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Joaquim Cruz’d To Meet Record, 800-1500 Double
Joaquim Cruz won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. In 1983, he set a meet record in the 800 of 1:44.91 & completed the 800-1500 double in 1984.
Back-To-Back 200-Meter Crowns For Annelus
Anglerne “Angie” Annelus won back-to-back 200m titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2018 & 2019. Her 22.16 winner from 2019 is the 4th fastest mark in collegiate history.
Indoors? Outdoors? Johnson Starred In The PV
Jan Johnson won the pole vault title at the 1970 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships and tied the meet record of 17-7.
Beard Capped Sensational Year At NCAAs
Jessica Beard won the 400 & then split the fastest 4×400 leg ever recorded at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to lead Texas A&M to a relay crown.
Biles Brothers Boast Historic Winning Feat
Martin Biles & Robert Biles were the first siblings to win the same event at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Marty won the javelin in 1940 & 1941, while Robert did so in 1942.
Branta Set NCAA MRs In 1500, 3000
Cathy Branta set meet records in back-to-back years at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships: 8:59.57 in the 3000 (1984); 4:12.64 in the 1500 (1985) as part of a 1500-3K double.
Brophy Led “Deca Central” With MR In 1992
Brian Brophy led a 1-2 finish by Tennessee athletes in the decathlon at the 1992 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. He won with a meet record of 8276 points.
UCLA’s Brenner Won Amazing SP Duel In 1984
John Brenner completed the discus-shot put double at the 1984 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships and won the shot put after an incredible duel against Michael Carter.
Ellerbe, Misipeka Dominated The Hammer
Dawn Ellerbe and Lisa Misipeka went 1-2 in each of the first two years that the women’s hammer was contested at the NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.