UTEP’s Hoglund First To Crack 70-Foot Barrier

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

UTEP’s Hoglund First To Crack 70-Foot Barrier

June 6, 1975

It would be an understatement to say that Hans Hoglund of UTEP had a great day in the shot put at the 1975 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Provo, Utah.

The first thrower in the competition, Hoglund opened with a PR 67-11 (20.70m) to improve on the meet record of 67-9¼ (20.65m) set by legendary Randy Matson of Texas A&M in 1967.

As it turned out, that first-round effort would have won the competition by more than two feet, but the Miner senior was far from done.

BOOM!

Hoglund followed in Round 2 with a bomb that landed well beyond the end of the dirt portion of the sector, more than 68-feet away.

The mammoth heave was initially announced as 70-0½, then changed to 70-0¼. When it was changed a second time to 70-0 (21.33m), announcer Dwain Esper told the officials, “Gentlemen, that’s far enough.”

Sure enough, the re-measuring was complete and Hoglund had become the world’s 10th member of the 70-foot club – and its first left-hander.

Hoglund had two more legal efforts – both also over the meet record when the event began – for a glorious afternoon as he finished his collegiate career with his four farthest throws and a comfortable NCAA victory by more than four feet.

It was the fifth career NCAA shot put title for Hoglund, who won the NCAA Outdoor in 1973 as well as the NCAA Indoor from 1973-75 (setting indoor meet records in 1974 and 1975).

Even better for UTEP was that freshman teammate Hans Alstrom – like Hoglund, a Swedish native – finished second, and the 18 combined points proved even bigger than their marks. The Miners went on to win their first team title in program history.

posted: January 20, 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
Reese Left Her Mark On NCAA LJ
June 12, 2008

Brittney Reese won the long jump at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a mark of 6.93m (22-9). Reese missed the meet record by just 1cm (½ inch).

Tupuritis Shocked The Field In 1996
May 31, 1996

Einars Tupuritis won the 800 at the 1996 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 0.14 seconds! Turpiritis crossed the finish line in 1:45.08.

Ellis Sent USC To A Thrilling Victory
June 9, 2018

Kendall Ellis had a remarkable come-from-behind victory in the 4×400 relay at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships that sent Southern California to the meet title.