Lawson Completed “Jesse Owens Triple” In 2016
Jarrion Lawson flawlessly executed a simple plan to historic results in 2016.
Five years ago, Lawson became just the second athlete in the history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships to complete the 100-200-long jump triple in the same year. The other was Jesse Owens, who did so twice in 1935 and 1936 (Owens also added a victory in the 220-yard hurdles in each of those years, for good measure).
“I’m just thankful to God to be able to do the same things that Jesse Owens did,” Lawson said after the meet. “It’s just a great privilege and honor. It’s just amazing to come out and win three events. To be mentioned in the same sentence as Owens, I just thank God for it all.”
How did the eventual Bowerman winner intend to achieve such an audacious feat?
“I tried to take each event one at a time,” Lawson said. “I put all my focus into whatever event I’m in at the time. If I’m in the long jump, I put all my focus on the long jump. I treat them all with the respect they deserve and treat all my competitors with that same respect.”
Lawson won the long jump – his first event that year – in a rout. While it took three attempts to get his legs under him, Lawson soared 8.13m (26-8¼) in Round 4 to take over the lead for good and then extended that to 8.15m (26-9) in Round 5 to win by nearly nine inches.
The Razorback star returned to Historic Hayward Field two days later for a three-final outing, starting with the meet-opening 4×100 relay. He toted the baton second on that third-place squad and mentioned after the meet that “…the relay was a good warmup for the other events. It got my legs loose and I was able to carry over to the sprints.”
Lawson won a war of attrition against a stiff headwind in the 100 (-2.3 m/s), beating Christian Coleman of Tennessee to the finish line by 0.01 seconds – 10.22 to 10.23. In doing so, Lawson put his name alongside DeHart Hubbard (1925), Owens (1935 & 1936), Carl Lewis (1981) and Ngoni Makusha (2011) as the only athletes to capture the 100 and long jump in the same year.
That wasn’t enough for Lawson – not by a long shot.
Lawson left no doubt as to his place in history 45 minutes later with a decisive, 0.07-second victory over Coleman in the 200 – 20.19 to 20.26. Coleman led at 100 meters, but Lawson drew even 50 meters later and gradually pulled ahead to the point where he could spread his arms wide to celebrate over the last 10 meters.
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.
Providence’s Smith Left Field In The Dust
Kim Smith won the 5000 meters at the 2004 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships by 36.04 seconds in 15:48.86 for the largest margin of victory in meet history.
Gatlin Doubled Up In Back-To-Back Years
Justin Gatlin completed back-to-back 100-200 doubles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2001 & 2002. He went 10.08/20.11 & 10.22/20.18 in those respective years.
UTEP’s Hoglund First To Crack 70-Foot Barrier
Hans Hoglund was the first man to touch the 70-foot barrier in the SP at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He also won by more than 4 feet with his 21.33m (70-0) heave in 1975.
LSU’s Hobbs Couldn’t Be Caught In 2018
Aleia Hobbs anchored LSU to a 4×100 relay MR of 42.25 & then doubled back to win the 100 by 0.23 seconds at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships.
Michael Johnson Had 1990 NCAAs To Remember
All eyes were on Michael Johnson of Baylor in the 4×400-meter relay at the 1990 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Riley Completed Unprecedented Double In 2012
Andrew Riley completed the only 100-110H double in NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships history in 2012. Riley won the 100 in 10.27 & then captured the 110H crown in 13.53
Leatherwood Rolled To Back-To-Back 400 Titles
Lillie Leatherwood won back-to-back 400-meter titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1986 & 1987. She set a meet record of 50.90 in that second year.
Iowa’s Jones Made Distance History
Charles “Deacon” Jones set a meet record in the 2-mile at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships with his time of 8:57.6.
Locke Doubled Up On Sprint Titles In 1926
Roland Locke entered the 1926 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships as the WR holder in the 220. He left with the meet record in that event (20.9) & also won the 100 in 9.9.
McLain Bounded To All-Conditions TJ Best
Erica McLain won the triple jump at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships by nearly two feet! McLain bounded to an all-conditions meet best at 14.60m (47-11).