Bagyula Boasted Incredible Pole Vault Prowess
Even after two meet records, Istvan Bagyula of George Mason wasn’t assured of victory in the pole vault at the 1991 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
That included the meet’s first 19-foot clearance.
Bagyula, the defending NCAA champion, was locked in a fantastic competition with Baylor’s Bill Payne* and Kansas’ Pat Manson: They were the only ones to continue after a meet-best nine had cleared 5.50m (18-0½).
All three sailed over 5.70m (18-8¼) to break the meet record of 5.65m (18-6½) that Manson co-held from two years earlier, though more history was in store.
With the bar set above 19-feet for the first time in meet history, Manson and Payne had the first cracks, but it was Bagyula who got the landmark achievement – officially at 5.80m (19-0¼).
Manson went out after missing two more times, but Payne – the collegiate record holder at 5.86m (19-2¾) just two weeks earlier – passed to a potential CR height of 5.90m (19-4¼), which neither he nor Bagyula could negotiate on this day, giving Bagyula the second of his three NCAA titles.
The biggest part of Bagyula’s season was just beginning. He had a sterling summer that saw him clear an all-dates collegiate best of 5.92m (19-5) a month later, before earning a silver medal at the World Championships for his native Hungary.
Bagyula came back to George Mason and swept the 1992 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor titles for a third time, accumulating six combined NCAA indoor/outdoor titles, still the most by a pole vaulter.
*Payne is the father of Demi Payne, who won a memorable pole vault crown at the 2015 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Demi was a finalist for The Bowerman that year.
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).