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.
Iowa’s Gordon Made Competition Pay In LJ
Edward Gordon won three consecutive long jump titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships from 1929 to 1931.
Powell Capped Career With 2006 Masterpiece
Ginnie Powell won back-to-back 100H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2005 & 2006. Powell set a collegiate record with her 12.48 from that second year.
Fromm Rewrote NCAA Javelin History
John Fromm won back-to-back javelin titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1957 & 1958. Fromm set MRs each time, hitting 257-1 (78.36m) in that second year.
Allen Sealed Oregon’s Title With 110H MR
Devon Allen won two career 110H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Allen set a MR of 13.16 in 2014.
Deniz Won Epic Discus Final In 1983
Leslie Deniz won the discus throw at the 1983 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a MR heave of 63.96m (209-10).
Fonville Made Shot Put History In 1947
Charles Fonville won back-to-back shot put titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1947 & 1948. His best mark came in 1947 when he won at 16.73m (54‑10⅞).
Montana’s Brown Set Two MRs in 1965
Doug Brown completed the 3-mile/6-mile double at the 1965 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships with MRs in each event: 13:40.2 in the 3-mile, 27:59.2 in the 6-mile.
Hook ‘Em, Courtney: Okolo Starred At NCAAs
Courtney Okolo won two career 400-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Okolo’s 50.23 winner from 2014 is the fastest mark by a sophomore in meet history.
UTEP’s Munyala Dominated The Steeplechase
James Munyala won three consecutive steeplechase titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 1975 & 1977. He set a MR of 8:24.86 in 1976.
UCLA’s Johnson Set MRs In Back-To-Back Years
Sheena Johnson won back-to-back 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2003 & 2004. Johnson set MRs each time: 54.24 (2003) & 53.54 (2004).