Ritchie Doubles Down In The Throws
Happy birthday to Meg Ritchie!
The last woman to own concurrent collegiate records in both the shot put and discus was the first woman to win any two events in the same year at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, doing so in 1982, the first year women were included in the meet.
Ritchie was in a league of her own as a collegian.
In 1981, Ritchie set the still-standing collegiate record – and British record – in the discus with a heave of 67.48m (221-5) at the Mt. SAC Relays. The native of Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, also owns five other current all-time top-10 marks on the collegiate chart, including Nos. 2, 4, 5, 7 and 10.
Ritchie seemingly slowed down during her 1982 campaign, compared to the incredibly high standards to which she set for herself in the previous years. And after Ritchie improved her collegiate record in the shot put to 17.47m (57-3¾), her coach revealed that they were bringing her along slowly.
“That’s not to say we’re ignoring her collegiate season,” Arizona coach Dave Murray told Lee Shappell of The Arizona Republic. “But we respect her as one of the elite throwers in the world, and we want to work with her so that she is at her best in the biggest meets.”
Ritchie added that she had just come off heavy weight training (“I’m feeling more springy now”) and was paying attention to a sore shoulder. “I don’t want people to think I’m making excuses, but I’ve been awfully sensible with my shoulder,” she told Shappell. “It’s just now coming along nicely – in time for nationals.”
It’s safe to say that plan worked as Ritchie had an incredible summer. After sweeping the NCAA discus and shot put crowns by winning margins of 8 feet, 11 inches and 11 inches, respectively, Ritchie would turn her attention to the Commonwealth Games, where she won the discus title there as well.
Ritchie never improved her collegiate record in the discus, but added more than five feet to her shot put standard the following year that would remain the all-time best until Raven Saunders came along in 2016.
Now 68 and known as Meg Stone, the former Arizona star is the Director of the Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education as well as the Director of the Olympic Training Site at East Tennessee State.
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.
Herbst Handled Distance Double With Ease
Stephanie Herbst completed the 5K-10K double at the 1986 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, setting a CR of 32:32.75 in the 10K.
Gordy Played Hero, Sent LSU To Team Title
Matt Gordy tied for the pole vault title at the 1933 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and sent LSU to the team crown!
Kendell Williams Was Multi-Talented
Kendell Williams of Georgia won seven career national titles in the combined events, including three heptathlon crowns at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
SMU’s Robberts Dominated Throwing Events
Janus Robberts won four career titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships: 1999 (SP), 2001 (SP), 2002 (SP, DT).
Enyeart Set Meet Record In 800 Meters
Mark Enyeart won two career 800-meter titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1957 and 1977. He set a meet record of 1:45.16 with his victory in 1977.
O’Sullivan Went Back-To-Back In 3K
Sonia O’Sullivan won back-to-back 3K titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1990 and 1991.
Gilkes Completed Unique Triple Crown In 1974
James Gilkes completed an unprecedented Triple Crown in 1974, winning the 220-yard dash at the NCAA Division I, NCAA Division III & NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Burrell Family In Class Of Its Own
It’s going to be a fast feast at the Burrell house during Thanksgiving!
Malone Made Javelin History In 2016
Maggie Malone set the current meet record of 62.19m (204-0) in the javelin at the 2016 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships.
Whiting Dominated SP, Nearly Set Outdoor CR
Ryan Whiting won back-to-back shot put titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2009 and 2010, narrowly missing the collegiate record in the last year.