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.
Sternberg Reached New Heights In 1963
Brian Sternberg won the pole vault title at the 1963 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He was the first athlete to clear 16 feet in meet history at 4.97m (16-3¾).
Williams Went Back-To-Back With CR In 1996
Tonya Williams won back-to-back 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1995 & 1996. She set a CR of 54.56 in 1996 & won by 0.35 seconds.
Kimobwa Ran Into Record Book In 1977
Samson Kimobwa set a MR in the 10K of 28:10.27 at the 1977 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He won by 12.21 seconds in a race that saw the top-2 finishers under previous meet record.
Florida’s Taylor Set All-Conditions TJ Best In 2011
Christian Taylor set an all-conditions meet best in the triple jump of 17.80m (58-4¾) at the 2011 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Taylor also won the TJ crown in 2010.
Johnson Led 1-2-3 HJ Sweep By Arizona In 1985
Katrena Johnson led a 1-2-3 finish by Arizona athletes in the high jump at the 1985 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Johnson cleared 1.94m (6-4¼) to set a collegiate record.
Fresno State’s Robinson Equaled WR In 1957
Ancel Robinson equaled the world record in the 220H of 22.2 at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. He also matched the American record & collegiate record.
Johnson Set 1500 MR After Thrilling Duel
Sinclaire Johnson set a meet record in the 1500 of 4:05.98 at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Johnson won an epic duel against Jessica Hull of Oregon.
Bohni Soared To Pole Vault MR In 1983
Felix Bohni set a meet record in the pole vault of 5.55m (18‑2½) at the 1983 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Bohni was one of three men to top 18 feet.
Frerichs Broke Steeplechase Records In 2016
Courtney Frerichs set a collegiate record in the steeplechase of 9:24.41 at the 2016 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Frerichs won by the second largest margin in meet history.
URI’s Black Rolled To NCAA’s 1st 10K Title
Robert Black won the first 10,000-meter title ever awarded at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1948. Black crossed the finish line in 32:13.5, 48 seconds ahead of the runner-up.