Dillard Hurdles To NCAA, World Glory
Jesse Owens gave Harrison Dillard a pair of track spikes.
Owens also gave Dillard some advice: Try the hurdles.
Dillard would end up being the best hurdler in the world – and a legend in the sport, just like Owens, who matriculated through Cleveland’s East Technical High School 10 years earlier.
Due to service in World War II, in which he served in the all-black 92nd Infantry Division known as the Buffalo Soldiers, Dillard did not enter college until 1945. He certainly made up for lost time, though, as a member of the Baldwin Wallace track & field team.
Dillard swept the 1946 and 1947 NCAA 120-yard and 220-yard hurdles – the last athlete with such a double-double – and his four titles remain the only ones in this meet won by an athlete from Baldwin Wallace, which now competes at the NCAA Division III level. When Dillard won the 220H title in 1947, he set a world record, American record and meet record of 22.3.
He was on track for more NCAA glory in 1948 when his focus shifted to the upcoming London Olympics, where he won gold – not in the high hurdles, but the 100. The change in events came most unexpectedly as he missed making the U.S. team in the 110H, ending an 82-race winning streak that included various sprints and hurdles (Only Edwin Moses would later record a longer streak, albeit in one event).
Affectionately known as “Bones” because of his slight weight, Dillard won gold in the London 100 and four years later captured the Olympic title in the 110 hurdles at Helsinki. He remains the only man to win Olympic golds in a sprint and hurdles event.
Dillard was born on this day in 1923. He passed away last November at age 96.
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.
Mikkola Set Javelin MR With Huge Win
Esko Mikkola was a two-time JT winner at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Mikkola won in 1998, he set a MR of 81.86m (268‑7) and won by 17 feet!
Little Made Big 400H History
Shamier Little won three consecutive 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 2014 & 2016. Little became the No. 2 performer in collegiate history with her 53.51 winner in 2016.
Comenentia Completed Historic Double In 2018
Denzel Comenentia became only the third man in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to complete the HT-SP double back in 2018.
Ellerbe Won After Film Review In 1939
Mozelle Ellerbe won back-to-back 100-yard dash titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1938 & 1939. His victory in the 2nd year was confirmed by a film review.
Saunders Won Back-To-Back SP Titles, Set CR
Raven Saunders won back-to-back SP titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2015 & 2016. Saunders set a CR & MR of 19.33m (63-5) in that second year.
McCullouch Ran Legendary Times At NCAAs
Earl McCullouch of Southern California won back-to-back 120H titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was a member of a WR-setting quarter-mile relay team.
Hook ‘Em, Leo: Manzano Made 1500 History
Leo Manzano was the first male freshman in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to win the 1500/mile in 2005. Manzano added a 2nd title to his haul in 2008.
Walton Started It All In The 800
Delisa Walton won the first women’s 800 at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1982. Walton is the mother of Ebonie Floyd, who finished 2nd in the 2007 100.
Rupp Capped Sensational Senior Year In 2009
Galen Rupp completed an unprecedented year at the 2009 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships when he swept the 5K & 10K.
Gipson, Ugen Made Long Jump History
Whitney Gipson & Lorraine Ugen were the first teammates to win women’s long jump titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in consecutive years (Gipson in 2012; Ugen in 2013).