Florida State’s England Kicked To 1500 CR

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Florida State’s England Kicked To 1500 CR

June 15, 2008

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.

posted: February 4, 2021
1921-2021
The NCAA's First Championships

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.

Memorable Moments
Rhoden Keeps Historic Company

George Rhoden is 1 of just 2 men in NCAA DI history to win 3 consecutive 400/440 titles at the Outdoor Championships. He did so from 1950 to 1952 & added 1951 220 for a double.

“Kori Monster” Crushed 400H CR In 2013
June 7, 2013

Kori Carter set a collegiate record in the 400 Hurdles of 53.21 at the 2013 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. She won that title & took runner-up honors in the 100H.

“Moon” Rose To Occasion In High Jump

Irv “Moon” Mondschein won back-to-back high jump titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1947 and 1948. He also finished as the national runner-up in 1949.

Rice’s Cavanaugh Ruled The NCAA Shot

Regina Cavanaugh was the first woman in NCAA DI history to win three career shot put titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. She did so consecutively from 1985 to 1987.

Brown Soared To HJ Meet Records

Reynaldo Brown won two career high jump titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships, which included a pair of meet records (He topped 2.23m (7-4) in 1973).