SMU’s Robberts Dominated Throwing Events
Janus Robberts of SMU was sky-high after winning the discus at the 2002 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
With a PR by almost four feet at 62.37m (204-7), Robberts could barely contain his excitement for the shot put, his signature competition that would be held the next day.
“I’m going to launch it into space tomorrow,” Robberts told Bob Baum of the Associated Press. “It will be awesome, for sure.”
Maybe that had some hyperbole, but not by much.
In 2001, Robberts won his second NCAA outdoor shot title by five feet at 21.97m (72-1), just short of the meet and collegiate record of 22.00m (72-2¼).
The 2002 meet would not be as easy: Joachim Olsen of Idaho made sure of that by staking the lead in the first flight of trials at 21.57m (70-9¼), becoming just the sixth 70-footer in meet history. Olsen – the 2000 NCAA Outdoor champ – also had the best career record among collegians against Robberts at 3-4 (All of their meetings coming at the NCAA Indoor or Outdoor Championships).
Robberts competed in the second flight and twice came close to 70-feet, but still trailed going into the finals with a best of 21.17m (69-5½), meaning Olsen entered the finals with the benefit of throwing last.
The final three rounds were intense.
In Round 4, Robberts scared 70-feet with an improvement to 21.32m (69-11½), as Olsen added his then-second best at 21.18m (69-6). Robberts then took the lead in Round 6 at 21.60m (70-10½) while Olsen fouled.
With one chance to improve in Round 6, Robberts fouled his final attempt while Olsen responded with the second-best effort of his life at 21.47m (70-5¼), but not enough to reclaim the lead.
“The first rounds I was too eager, I guess,” Robberts told Tracey Myers of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I wasn’t patient enough with my throwing. But it was awesome. I wouldn’t want to have had my last meet end any other way.”
Robberts’ third NCAA Outdoor shot win was his sixth overall including all events, indoors and outdoors. Only another Mustang – Michael Carter with seven – has more in men’s throwing events. Robberts became the ninth man to win the NCAA shot/discus – a list that now has 11, but he remains the only doubler with three wins in either discipline.
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.