Carr Displayed His World Record Speed

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Carr Displayed His World Record Speed

Henry Carr of Arizona State found unlikely rivals for his world-record speed for 220 yards at the 1963 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

That came in the 100 yards, the results of which are still disputed for some.

Carr came across the line virtually even with Stanford’s Larry Questad and Nate Adams of Purdue, all three being timed in 9.7. Historians have argued about the interpretation of photographic evidence of that finish, some saying Carr should have been the winner.

In reality, Carr was just warming up for his specialty, as all three great sprinters were tops in the 220, but that’s when Carr left no doubt as the event’s WR holder added a meet-record time of 20.5.

The realm of the Detroit native’s talents were just being uncovered.

The same year, Ulis Williams – a fellow Sun Devil – won the first of two NCAA 400/440s, but it was Carr who had the fastest split (45.1) on the team’s world-record mile relay earlier in the year at the Mt. SAC Relays.

Unfortunately, Carr was injured for the 1964 NCAA meet — but was able to recover for the Tokyo Olympics held much later in the year. Carr won Olympic gold in the 200 with an auto-timed WR of 20.36 and also anchored the U.S. 4×400 relay team in 44.5 to earn another gold medal and a second world record (3:00.7).

posted: January 12, 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
Plab Reached Lofty Heights In NCAA HJ

Darrin Plab won back-to-back HJ titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1991 & 1992. Plab cleared 2.34m (7-8) in 1992 & tied the 2nd best bar in meet history.

Peoples Made History One Lap At A Time

Maurice Peoples won the 440-yard dash in 1973 & then really turned up the heat. Peoples split 43.4 on the Sun Devils’ mile relay team that finished third in the final.

KU’s Lokedi Set 10K MR In 2018

Sharon Lokedi won the 10K at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in a meet-record 32:09.20. Lokedi led five other women under the old final-site best, too.

Can Ereng Kick It? Yes, He Can!

Paul Ereng won back-to-back 800-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1988 & 1989. Ereng is still the current indoor record holder in the event.

Dwight Stones Set High Jump WR In 1976

Dwight Stones set a world record in the high jump of 2.31m (7-7) at the 1976 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Stones also raised the MR by more than 3 inches!