Prandini Dazzled At NCAAs In 2015
Using current scoring tables, only two women totaled more points for their teams at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships than Jenna Prandini did for Oregon in 2015: Gail Devers of UCLA in 1988 (28.5) and Merlene Ottey of Nebraska in 1983 (28).
Simply put: Prandini reached legendary status five years ago when she compiled 26 points and led the Women of Oregon to their first outdoor national team title in 30 years.
Prandini opened the weekend with a runner-up finish in the long jump, the same event in which she topped the podium in each of the previous two installments of the NCAA Championships.
A less-than-stellar opening-round effort of 4.48m (14-8½) gave way to an eventual third-round best of 6.80m (22-3¾) that put her into the lead. Prandini passed her next two attempts, but when eventual champion Quanesha Burks of Alabama soared 6.91m (22-8) in Round 5, it coaxed the Oregon standout off the bench. It ended up being for naught, as Prandini fouled in Round 6.
Fast forward two days and Prandini prepared for a three-event afternoon, beginning with the final of the 4×100 relay, followed by finals in the 100 and 200.
Disastrous hand-offs derailed the Ducks in the relay as they were hit with a Zone 2 infraction between Jasmine Todd and Ashante Horsley. By the time Prandini received the baton from Horsley after another lackluster exchange, her anchor leg amounted to trying to save face in front of the Oregon faithful at Historic Hayward Field.
Prandini returned to the track for the 100, an event in which she entered as the favorite with her wind-legal 10.92 from earlier in the season and looked to win Oregon’s third title in the past four years. Morolake Akinosun of Texas pushed the California native to the limit, but eventually the Duck broke the tape first in 10.96 – just 0.01 seconds ahead of Akinosun.
If you’re counting at home, that’s 18 points from the 100 and long jump. That leaves eight points from a close runner-up finish in the 200 – 0.03 seconds – to give Prandini her grand total of 26.
Scoring points by the bushel wasn’t new to Prandini. After all, Prandini totaled 23 points at the 2015 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships just a few months earlier to propel Oregon to a runner-up finish behind meet champion Arkansas.
All told, that was 49 points for Prandini at the NCAA Championships in 2015. That enabled her to win The Bowerman, as the collegiate track & field’s most outstanding female athlete.
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).