Texas’ Thompson Marveled In NCAA Distance Events
Which one of Jerry Thompson’s three titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships is the most memorable?
We asked him and he didn’t hesitate on his response: “The 1947 2-mile in Salt Lake City,” the Texas grad replied.
That was almost 74 years ago, and Thompson still remembers it well at the age of 97 – making him the oldest-known living NCAA champion, at least in track & field.
Thompson became known nationally in 1943, winning the NCAA 2-mile at age 19. Then he missed three years of school serving in the Navy during World War II.
The 1947 NCAA 2-mile served up a great duel between Thompson and Penn State’s Curtis Stone, who came in with the year’s fastest time at 9:11.8 from winning the IC4A Championships. Thompson owned a PR of 9:17.1 from back in 1943, but the fastest he ran in 1947 was 9:30.6 as he tripled and quadrupled in most meets.
Thompson says he didn’t feel well in the 1947 NCAA race. “It was held on a cold night and I wasn’t used to running in those conditions,” Thompson remembers. “It took me a few laps to get warmed up.”
As the race came down to the eighth and final lap, Thompson was ready “to give it everything I’ve got.” On the backstretch he pulled even with Stone as both began to sprint furiously. On the final turn Thompson was able to move ahead before cruising home to win by some 5 yards in 9:22.9.
Thompson won again in 1948, but this time the NCAA ran the 5000 meters instead due it being an Olympic year. Stone and Thompson met a few more times, including the 1948 Olympic Trials and Olympics as both made the U.S. 5K team for London.
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.
Bagyula Boasted Incredible Pole Vault Prowess
Istvan Bagyula won three consecutive pole vault titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 1990 & 1992. He was the first to clear 19 feet (5.80m) in 1991.
Rotich Went Back-To-Back-To-Back In Steeple
Anthony Rotich won three consecutive steeplechase titles, doing so from 2013 to 2015. His 8:21.19 from 2013 is the ninth fastest mark in meet history.
Lawrence Twins Doubled Down On Outdoor Crowns
Twins Shadae & Shardia Lawrence both won titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships: Shardae in the discus (2017); Shardia in the triple jump (2019).
Sink Steepled Into The Record Book
Sid Sink won back-to-back titles in the steeplechase at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1970 & 1971. He set meet records in each of those years.
Georgia Tech’s Taylor Triumphed In 1998
Angelo Taylor won the 400 Hurdles and doubled back to anchor the winning 4×400 relay team at the 1998 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Tennessee’s Skinner Set Javelin MR In 1970
Bill Skinner set a meet record in the javelin of 82.49m (270-8) at the 1970 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships.
Turner Left No Doubt In 800 Meters
Inez Turner won the 800 meters at the 1995 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships by 2.24 seconds for what is still the largest margin of victory in meet history.
Cheruiyot Won By Slim Margin In 1989
Kip Cheruiyot beat teammate Peter Rono by 0.03 seconds in the 1500 at the 1989 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. It was the closest margin of victory since the NCAA adopted FAT.
Emordi Led Texas Southern 1-2 LJ Finish In 1987
Paul Emordi led the only 1-2 finish by teammates in the men’s long jump at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1987. Emordi won with a leap of 8.25m (27-0¾).
Anchor Down: Tolbert Set 400H CR In 1997
Ryan Tolbert set a collegiate record in the 400 Hurdles of 54.54 at the 1997 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. Tolbert also finished third in the open 400!