Lawson Completed “Jesse Owens Triple” In 2016

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

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.

posted: May 6, 2021
1921-2021
The NCAA's First Championships

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.

Memorable Moments
Mikkola Set Javelin MR With Huge Win

Esko Mikkola was a two-time JT winner at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Mikkola won in 1998, he set a MR of 81.86m (268‑7) and won by 17 feet!

Little Made Big 400H History
June 11, 2016

Shamier Little won three consecutive 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 2014 & 2016. Little became the No. 2 performer in collegiate history with her 53.51 winner in 2016.

Ellerbe Won After Film Review In 1939

Mozelle Ellerbe won back-to-back 100-yard dash titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1938 & 1939. His victory in the 2nd year was confirmed by a film review.

McCullouch Ran Legendary Times At NCAAs

Earl McCullouch of Southern California won back-to-back 120H titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was a member of a WR-setting quarter-mile relay team.

Walton Started It All In The 800

Delisa Walton won the first women’s 800 at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1982. Walton is the mother of Ebonie Floyd, who finished 2nd in the 2007 100.

Gipson, Ugen Made Long Jump History

Whitney Gipson & Lorraine Ugen were the first teammates to win women’s long jump titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in consecutive years (Gipson in 2012; Ugen in 2013).