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.
Sternberg Reached New Heights In 1963
Brian Sternberg won the pole vault title at the 1963 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He was the first athlete to clear 16 feet in meet history at 4.97m (16-3¾).
Williams Went Back-To-Back With CR In 1996
Tonya Williams won back-to-back 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1995 & 1996. She set a CR of 54.56 in 1996 & won by 0.35 seconds.
Kimobwa Ran Into Record Book In 1977
Samson Kimobwa set a MR in the 10K of 28:10.27 at the 1977 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He won by 12.21 seconds in a race that saw the top-2 finishers under previous meet record.
Florida’s Taylor Set All-Conditions TJ Best In 2011
Christian Taylor set an all-conditions meet best in the triple jump of 17.80m (58-4¾) at the 2011 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Taylor also won the TJ crown in 2010.
Johnson Led 1-2-3 HJ Sweep By Arizona In 1985
Katrena Johnson led a 1-2-3 finish by Arizona athletes in the high jump at the 1985 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Johnson cleared 1.94m (6-4¼) to set a collegiate record.
Fresno State’s Robinson Equaled WR In 1957
Ancel Robinson equaled the world record in the 220H of 22.2 at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. He also matched the American record & collegiate record.
Johnson Set 1500 MR After Thrilling Duel
Sinclaire Johnson set a meet record in the 1500 of 4:05.98 at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Johnson won an epic duel against Jessica Hull of Oregon.
Bohni Soared To Pole Vault MR In 1983
Felix Bohni set a meet record in the pole vault of 5.55m (18‑2½) at the 1983 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Bohni was one of three men to top 18 feet.
Frerichs Broke Steeplechase Records In 2016
Courtney Frerichs set a collegiate record in the steeplechase of 9:24.41 at the 2016 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Frerichs won by the second largest margin in meet history.
URI’s Black Rolled To NCAA’s 1st 10K Title
Robert Black won the first 10,000-meter title ever awarded at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1948. Black crossed the finish line in 32:13.5, 48 seconds ahead of the runner-up.