Joaquim Cruz’d To Meet Record, 800-1500 Double
Joaquim Cruz caused Oregon’s Hayward Field fans to become uniquely vocal with what sounded like “Boo.”
Actually, it was the name “Cruz”, and it was heard proudly and loudly in two finals at the 1984 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships as the namesake stormed to a pair of impressive victories.
The first occurrence came in the 800 on Friday, when a normally front-running Cruz had to change his plans after Alabama’s William Wuyke took control at the break.
Cruz – whose first name is pronounced “Zho-ah-KEEM” – waited until the final backstretch before unleashing his speed to win in 1:45.10, the second-fastest time in meet history behind his own meet-record 1:44.91 from a year earlier.
A day later, Cruz took off from the gun in the 1500, forcing a swift opening lap of 57.6 seconds and led the entire way to a 3:36.48 PR, again the second-fastest time in meet history, this time behind the still-standing meet record set in 1981 by Sydney Maree of Villanova.
The 1500 results proved pivotal for the home team as fellow Duck sophomore Dub Myers followed in third with a 3:37.94 PR, and the duo’s 25 points on the 12-place scoring system clinched Oregon’s first team title in the meet since 1970.
Cruz was far from done for the year. In August, he won Olympic gold – the first for a Brazilian in a track event – and then later in the summer came within 0.04 seconds of the world record at 1:41.77, still the fastest by a collegian on an “all-dates” basis.
The Olympic 800 final helped to show the impressive strength of the NCAA race – Olympic bronze medalist Earl Jones was NCAA runner-up for Eastern Michigan, while Richmond’s Edwin Koech finished sixth in both finals.
Cruz’s 800/1500 double victory was the meet’s last by a man until 2010, when another Oregon star pulled off the same combination – Andrew Wheating.
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.
Ritchie Doubles Down In The Throws
Meg Ritchie of Arizona became the first woman in the history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships to win any two events in 1982.
Three-For-Three: Woodruff Made It Look Easy
John Woodruff of Pittsburgh won three consecutive 800/880 titles at the NCAA Track & Field Championships from 1937 to 1939.
The Tie Goes To The Runner(s)
Bill Straub of Army and Jim Murphy of Air Force TIED for the 5000-meter title at the 1964 NCAA Track & Field Championships!
Ottey’s Audacious Quadruple In 1983
Merlene Ottey of Nebraska sought to win NCAA titles in the 100, 200, 400 and 4×100 relay in 1983.
He’s Great: LSU’s Davis Soars To History
Walter Davis, who turns 41 today, scored 22¼ points at the 2002 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championship to lead LSU to the national team title.
Scott Neilson Is NCAA T&F’s Mr. Canada
Scott Neilson of Washington won four consecutive hammer throw titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships between 1976 and 1979.
A Crowning Moment For Rogers In 2017
Back in 2017, Raevyn Rogers of Oregon dazzled at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a victory in the 800 and a sizzling anchor on the winning 4×400 relay.
Robinson Brothers Make NCAA T&F History
Can you name the first set of siblings to win NCAA Track & Field titles? We’ll give you a hint: Their last name is Robinson.
UTEP’s Nyambui Goes 7-For-7 Outdoors
Suleiman Nyambui of UTEP never lost a race at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He went a perfect 7-for-7 over four years.
Oxy’s Gutowski Vaults To Record Heights
Bob Gutowski of Occidental won the pole vault at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor Championships with a clearance of 4.82m (15-9¾), a mark that surpassed the world record but was never ratified.