UTEP’s Hoglund First To Crack 70-Foot Barrier
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.
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.
Iowa’s Gordon Made Competition Pay In LJ
Edward Gordon won three consecutive long jump titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships from 1929 to 1931.
Powell Capped Career With 2006 Masterpiece
Ginnie Powell won back-to-back 100H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2005 & 2006. Powell set a collegiate record with her 12.48 from that second year.
Fromm Rewrote NCAA Javelin History
John Fromm won back-to-back javelin titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1957 & 1958. Fromm set MRs each time, hitting 257-1 (78.36m) in that second year.
Allen Sealed Oregon’s Title With 110H MR
Devon Allen won two career 110H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Allen set a MR of 13.16 in 2014.
Deniz Won Epic Discus Final In 1983
Leslie Deniz won the discus throw at the 1983 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a MR heave of 63.96m (209-10).
Fonville Made Shot Put History In 1947
Charles Fonville won back-to-back shot put titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1947 & 1948. His best mark came in 1947 when he won at 16.73m (54‑10⅞).
Montana’s Brown Set Two MRs in 1965
Doug Brown completed the 3-mile/6-mile double at the 1965 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships with MRs in each event: 13:40.2 in the 3-mile, 27:59.2 in the 6-mile.
Hook ‘Em, Courtney: Okolo Starred At NCAAs
Courtney Okolo won two career 400-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Okolo’s 50.23 winner from 2014 is the fastest mark by a sophomore in meet history.
UTEP’s Munyala Dominated The Steeplechase
James Munyala won three consecutive steeplechase titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 1975 & 1977. He set a MR of 8:24.86 in 1976.
UCLA’s Johnson Set MRs In Back-To-Back Years
Sheena Johnson won back-to-back 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2003 & 2004. Johnson set MRs each time: 54.24 (2003) & 53.54 (2004).