Johnson Unrivaled In The Heptathlon
The first NCAA heptathlon title for Jacquelyn Johnson of Arizona State was the only one of her record four wins that was close.
In 2004, Johnson withstood a strong second day by defending champ Hyleas Fountain of Georgia to prevail by 22 points. That victory alone put her in rare territory, becoming only the second freshman to win the event, joining Sheila Tarr of UNLV in 1984.
Johnson finished her NCAA career by sweeping the 2006, 2007 and 2008 heptathlons (All by more than 100 points) in becoming one of just four women in meet history to record four victories in one event. Her collegiate PR of 6276* points came in a winning effort at the 2008 Pac-10 Championships and was then the third best all-time collegiately, behind only Diane Guthrie of George Mason and Jackie Joyner of UCLA (Johnson is now sixth).
“Things have been harder since the first time,” Johnson told Dan Zeiger of the East Valley Tribune in Mesa, Arizona. “The expectations grew. I won my freshman year, so the assumption is that if I’m a freshman winning, I should be a senior winning. It’s hard to have that weight on your shoulders.”
Johnson also won the NCAA Indoor pentathlon three times, losing only as a freshman in 2004 (She placed second to Fountain). Her victory in 2008 came with a then-collegiate record total of 4496 (That mark now sits 10th all-time).
The Yuma, Arizona, native was a leader of the ASU teams that in 2007 and 2008 registered the best team performances in Sun Devil history. ASU won the 2007 NCAA Outdoor team title and was second in 2008 – the two highest finishes for the program. Indoors, the Sun Devils won NCAA team titles in 2007 and 2008 for their only crowns in that meet.
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.
Clemson’s Ross Kept Getting Faster In 1995
Duane Ross PR’d twice in the 110H at the 1995 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Ross won in 13.32, he became the No. 3 performer in collegiate history.
Illinois’ Kerr Went Back-To-Back At NCAAs
George Kerr won back-to-back 800/880 titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1959 & 1960. Kerr set a meet record of 1:46.4 in the 800 meters in 1960.
UCLA’s Baucham Bounded To TJ CR In 2005
Candice Baucham won the triple jump at the 2005 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a collegiate record of 14.07m (46-2). Baucham took the event by more than one foot.
San Romani Went From Unknown To Legend
Archie San Romani won back-to-back 1500/mile crowns at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1935 & 1936.
Auburn’s Glance Made Them Look Twice
Harvey Glance completed the 100-200 double as a freshman at the 1976 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He set a meet record of 10.16 in the 100.
Nova’s Rhines Did NCAA 5K Three-Peat
Jen Rhines was the first female athlete in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to win three consecutive 5K titles.
Georgia’s Erm Cruised To 2019 Decathlon Title
Johannes Erm won the decathlon at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 342 points with his 8352 total. That was also the fifth-best score in meet history.
McMillen Adapted, Set 1500 MR In 1952
Bob McMillen set a meet record in the 1500 meters of 3:50.7 at the 1952 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
LSU’s Duhaney Destroyed NCAA 200 Field In 1992
Dahlia Duhaney owns the largest margin of victory in meet history in the 200 with her 0.44-second winner at the 1992 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships.
Rice’s Roberts Cooked Up Pole Vault Greatness
Dave Roberts was the second man to win three consecutive pole vault titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, doing so from 1971 to 1973.