Greene Came Up Clutch In 1989 Long Jump
One of Joe Greene’s best days of long jumping started off dismally.
It would end with a victory in one of the most memorable competitions in the near 100-year history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Greene entered the 1989 NCAA meet at Provo, Utah, with the year’s longest jump by a collegian, a wind-aided 8.22m (26-11¾) from winning the Big Ten Championships. Undefeated by collegians outdoors, he relished a rematch with Houston’s Leroy Burrell, who won the NCAA Indoor when Greene was third.
Burrell – who owned the year’s legal best at 8.14m (26-8½) – took immediate command, spanning a solid 8.10m (26-7) that stood up as the leader through the event’s trials. Greene advanced for three more attempts, but only as one of the last finalists at 7.81m (25-7½).
Things heated up in the finals, especially in Round 5.
Oregon’s Latin Berry tied Burrell for the lead at 26-7 before Boris Goins of Auburn took over at 8.15m (26-9).
Burrell was up to the challenge and quickly regained the lead, leaping a meet record 8.37m (27-5½) to finish off an exciting Round 5. Burrell’s MR was also the longest in meet history, bettering the wind-aided 8.36m (27-5¼) by Ralph Spry of Ole Miss in winning the 1983 meet.
By this point Greene was buried in the standings in 8th place, having fouled (albeit impressively) in Rounds 4 and 5.
But everything came together for the Buckeye in Round 6 as his final effort broke the sand at 8.41m (27-7¼) to take the lead. Unfortunately, the jump couldn’t count as a record, due to a barely-over-the-maximum wind reading of 2.04 meters per second when the limit is 2.0.
Greene had to wait out the final attempts of others, but no one came close to his mark, thus sealing the NCAA title – the first in the event for OSU since legendary Jesse Owens won a pair in 1935 and 1936.
Greene continued on to post-collegiate success, earning bronze medals in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.
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.
Carr Displayed His World Record Speed
Henry Carr set a meet record in the 220 yards of 20.5 at the 1963 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Joaquim Cruz’d To Meet Record, 800-1500 Double
Joaquim Cruz won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. In 1983, he set a meet record in the 800 of 1:44.91 & completed the 800-1500 double in 1984.
Back-To-Back 200-Meter Crowns For Annelus
Anglerne “Angie” Annelus won back-to-back 200m titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2018 & 2019. Her 22.16 winner from 2019 is the 4th fastest mark in collegiate history.
Indoors? Outdoors? Johnson Starred In The PV
Jan Johnson won the pole vault title at the 1970 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships and tied the meet record of 17-7.
Beard Capped Sensational Year At NCAAs
Jessica Beard won the 400 & then split the fastest 4×400 leg ever recorded at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to lead Texas A&M to a relay crown.
Biles Brothers Boast Historic Winning Feat
Martin Biles & Robert Biles were the first siblings to win the same event at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Marty won the javelin in 1940 & 1941, while Robert did so in 1942.
Branta Set NCAA MRs In 1500, 3000
Cathy Branta set meet records in back-to-back years at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships: 8:59.57 in the 3000 (1984); 4:12.64 in the 1500 (1985) as part of a 1500-3K double.
Brophy Led “Deca Central” With MR In 1992
Brian Brophy led a 1-2 finish by Tennessee athletes in the decathlon at the 1992 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. He won with a meet record of 8276 points.
UCLA’s Brenner Won Amazing SP Duel In 1984
John Brenner completed the discus-shot put double at the 1984 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships and won the shot put after an incredible duel against Michael Carter.
Ellerbe, Misipeka Dominated The Hammer
Dawn Ellerbe and Lisa Misipeka went 1-2 in each of the first two years that the women’s hammer was contested at the NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.