Arkansas’ Brown Notched All-Time 100H Mark
If you didn’t see Janeek Brown’s jaw-dropping performance coming from 100 meters away at the 2019 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, then you weren’t paying attention. Or, the 10 hurdles that Brown expertly cleared over the course of that distance in 12.40 seconds to become the second-fastest performer in collegiate history obstructed your vision.
Whatever the case might be, Brown’s rise to superstardom in Austin, Texas, wasn’t a shock.
Brown improved in the 100H each time out: 12.97 (+1.3) in her opener at the Texas Relays; 12.91 (+0.5) at The Reveille Meet; 12.57 (+1.6) at the National Relay Championships; a world-leading 12.55 (+1.3) at the SEC Outdoor Championships one month before the NCAA meet.
The Razorback standout went 12.53 (+1.1) in the NCAA semifinals for another PR and the second-fastest qualifying mark in collegiate history. Only Brianna Rollins of Clemson ran faster back in 2013 when she broke the collegiate record by 0.01 seconds with her 12.47 clocking at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Brown wanted to run even faster still, just like Rollins had six years earlier. The Jamaican set her sights on Rollins’ CR of 12.39, which came in the 2013 final and resulted in the future winner of The Bowerman tying the largest margin of victory in meet history at 0.40 seconds.
A quick start begets a first-hurdle lead that Brown never relinquished. Brown continued to pour it on over the next nine barriers, and by the time she cleared the tenth, all eyes were on the clock. It read 12.40, agonizingly close to Rollins’ all-time best – 0.01 seconds shy.
Those 10 points from Brown also helped propel the Razorbacks to their second team title in program history, a seven-point victory over defending champion Southern California.
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.
O-H-I- Oh, Reynolds Was Fast!
Butch Reynolds set a meet record in the 400 of 44.13 at the 1987 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. He barely missed his own collegiate record of 44.10.
Fynes Won NCAA Titles For Two Programs
Sevatheda Fynes won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. What’s even more impressive is that she did it for two programs – Eastern Michigan & Michigan State.
El Moutawakel Had Legendary Year In 1984
Nawal El Moutawakel set a meet record in the 400 hurdles of 55.84 at the 1984 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. She also won Olympic gold that year in the event.
Princeton’s Bonthron Beat WR Holder In 1934 NCAA Mile
Bill Bonthron won an epic duel in the mile at the 1934 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. Bonthron beat WR holder Glenn Cunningham, 4:08.9 MR to 4:10.6.
Georgia’s Irby Doubled Down, Set 400 MR
Lynna Irby set a meet record in the 400 of 49.80 at the 2018 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. Irby also finished third in the 200 at 22.92.
Weir Wouldn’t Be Denied In Throwing Events
Robert Weir won the hammer throw at the 1983 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships with a meet record of 74.42m (244‑2). He beat a two-time defending champ.
Pitt’s Sowell Atoned With 800 Meet Record
Arnie Sowell was a two-time champion in the 800 at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He set a collegiate record of 1:46.7 in 1956 & won by 2.5 seconds.
Florida State’s England Kicked To 1500 CR
Hannah England set a collegiate record in the 1500 of 4:06.19 at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships & led two other women under 4:08 in one of the meet’s fastest finals.
Wheeler Won An All-Time 400H Classic
Quentin Wheeler set a collegiate record in the 400 Hurdles of 48.55 at the 1976 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships.
It’s Good To Be King: Cheserek Reigned At NCAAs
Edward Cheserek won five career titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, including two 5K-10K doubles.

