Indiana’s Kharun Set Javelin MR In 2003
Irina Kharun of Indiana put on a clinic in the javelin at the 2003 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Sacramento, California.
The native of Ukraine – whose last name is pronounced “huh-roon” – started off with a PR 58.36m (191-6) – more than 10 feet farther than anyone else in the field had thrown all year and gave her a nice 25-foot (7.60m) lead on the field.
As it turned out, that mark would have been good enough to win, but Kharun came back in Round 3 with an improvement to 59.05m (193-8) to extend her lead to just over 27 feet (8.29m).
It looked like the rout was on, as the largest margin of victory in meet history – including the pre-2000 competitions with the old-style javelin – was the 5.68m (18-8) that Purdue’s Serene Ross had registered in 2002 when she set an American record at 59.64m (195-8).
The margin got reduced in Round 5 when Southern California’s Inga Stasiulionyte – the 2001 NCAA champ and 2002 runner-up – moved into second at 52.26m (171-5). Kharun now led by “only” some 22 feet (6.79m).
As Round 6 wound down to Kharun’s last throw, victory became secure and Kharun made the final collegiate effort of her career one to remember.
Kharun “approached the final throw with her usual slow run-up, yet powerful finish,” wrote Dan Lilot of Track & Field News. The result was a staggering 61.82m (202-10) – a collegiate record and the first 200-footer with the new-style javelin.
The winning margin of 9.56m (31-5) not only shattered the event’s largest, it was – and remains – the largest by a woman in any throwing event in meet history.
To this day, Kharun’s magnificent throw has been exceeded only once by a collegian – Maggie Malone of Texas A&M when she set the current CR of 62.19 (204-0) at the 2016 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
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.
ON THIS DAY: Kerley Set 400-Meter CR In Austin
Fred Kerley set a collegiate record in the 400 on this day in 2017. Kerley went 43.70 at the NCAA DI West Preliminary Round in Austin, Texas.
Reese Left Her Mark On NCAA LJ
Brittney Reese won the long jump at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a mark of 6.93m (22-9). Reese missed the meet record by just 1cm (½ inch).
Foster Won All-Time Classic 110H In 1978
Greg Foster won an epic 110H race at the 1978 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Foster beat Renaldo Nehemiah & set an AR, CR & MR in the process with his 13.22.
D’Agostino Won By Slim Margin In 2012
Abbey D’Agostino won back-to-back 5K titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2012 & 2013. When D’Agostino won in 2012, it was by just 0.03 seconds.
Tupuritis Shocked The Field In 1996
Einars Tupuritis won the 800 at the 1996 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 0.14 seconds! Turpiritis crossed the finish line in 1:45.08.
Arkansas’ Brown Notched All-Time 100H Mark
Janeek Brown won the 100H at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 12.40, narrowly missing the collegiate record and meet record.
Brown Paced Tennessee To 1974 Team Title
Doug Brown won back-to-back steeplechase titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1973 & 1974. His victory in 1973 was by 17.2 seconds!
EMU’s Jones Hurdled Into NCAA History
Hayes Jones completed the 120H-220H sweep at the 1959 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. Jones won the last 220H title ever awarded at the meet.
Ellis Sent USC To A Thrilling Victory
Kendall Ellis had a remarkable come-from-behind victory in the 4×400 relay at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships that sent Southern California to the meet title.
Paige Turned Three NCAA Mid-Distance Titles
Don Paige won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, including a 800-1500 sweep in 1979.