Georgia’s Erm Cruised To 2019 Decathlon Title

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Georgia’s Erm Cruised To 2019 Decathlon Title

Johannes Erm stood out in 2018. 

Then, Erm stood on top in 2019. 

It was three years ago at Historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, where Erm was the only freshman to finish in the top-8 of the decathlon (Actually, six of the other seven men on the podium were seniors). Erm put up 8046 points for the third-best total by a freshman in meet history, which sat behind efforts from 2013 champion Johannes Hock of Texas (8267) and 2011 runner-up Curtis Beach of Duke (8084). 

As the top returning finisher the following year, lofty expectations were placed on Erm’s shoulders. Well, Erm more than exceeded them with a dynamic performance in Austin, Texas. 

Erm amassed 8352 points at Mike A. Myers Stadium for the fifth-best score in meet history. It also made him just the sixth sophomore to win the decathlon – the first since former Georgia standout Maicel Uibo in 2014 and only the third since 1985. 

A 79-point lead after Day 1 only grew larger on Day 2.

It blossomed to 108 after the 110H, 213 following the discus throw, 306 once Erm let the javelin fly 56.27m (184-7) and then finally to its 342-point resting place, which was the largest margin of victory since future world record holder Ashton Eaton won by an otherworldly 656-point spread in 2010.

posted: April 10, 2021
1921-2021
The NCAA's First Championships

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.

Memorable Moments
Reese Left Her Mark On NCAA LJ
June 12, 2008

Brittney Reese won the long jump at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a mark of 6.93m (22-9). Reese missed the meet record by just 1cm (½ inch).

Tupuritis Shocked The Field In 1996
May 31, 1996

Einars Tupuritis won the 800 at the 1996 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 0.14 seconds! Turpiritis crossed the finish line in 1:45.08.

Ellis Sent USC To A Thrilling Victory
June 9, 2018

Kendall Ellis had a remarkable come-from-behind victory in the 4×400 relay at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships that sent Southern California to the meet title.