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.
Bagyula Boasted Incredible Pole Vault Prowess
Istvan Bagyula won three consecutive pole vault titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 1990 & 1992. He was the first to clear 19 feet (5.80m) in 1991.
Rotich Went Back-To-Back-To-Back In Steeple
Anthony Rotich won three consecutive steeplechase titles, doing so from 2013 to 2015. His 8:21.19 from 2013 is the ninth fastest mark in meet history.
Lawrence Twins Doubled Down On Outdoor Crowns
Twins Shadae & Shardia Lawrence both won titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships: Shardae in the discus (2017); Shardia in the triple jump (2019).
Sink Steepled Into The Record Book
Sid Sink won back-to-back titles in the steeplechase at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1970 & 1971. He set meet records in each of those years.
Georgia Tech’s Taylor Triumphed In 1998
Angelo Taylor won the 400 Hurdles and doubled back to anchor the winning 4×400 relay team at the 1998 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Tennessee’s Skinner Set Javelin MR In 1970
Bill Skinner set a meet record in the javelin of 82.49m (270-8) at the 1970 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships.
Turner Left No Doubt In 800 Meters
Inez Turner won the 800 meters at the 1995 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships by 2.24 seconds for what is still the largest margin of victory in meet history.
Cheruiyot Won By Slim Margin In 1989
Kip Cheruiyot beat teammate Peter Rono by 0.03 seconds in the 1500 at the 1989 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. It was the closest margin of victory since the NCAA adopted FAT.
Emordi Led Texas Southern 1-2 LJ Finish In 1987
Paul Emordi led the only 1-2 finish by teammates in the men’s long jump at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1987. Emordi won with a leap of 8.25m (27-0¾).
Anchor Down: Tolbert Set 400H CR In 1997
Ryan Tolbert set a collegiate record in the 400 Hurdles of 54.54 at the 1997 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. Tolbert also finished third in the open 400!