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
Mikkola Set Javelin MR With Huge Win

Esko Mikkola was a two-time JT winner at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Mikkola won in 1998, he set a MR of 81.86m (268‑7) and won by 17 feet!

Little Made Big 400H History
June 11, 2016

Shamier Little won three consecutive 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 2014 & 2016. Little became the No. 2 performer in collegiate history with her 53.51 winner in 2016.

Ellerbe Won After Film Review In 1939

Mozelle Ellerbe won back-to-back 100-yard dash titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1938 & 1939. His victory in the 2nd year was confirmed by a film review.

McCullouch Ran Legendary Times At NCAAs

Earl McCullouch of Southern California won back-to-back 120H titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was a member of a WR-setting quarter-mile relay team.

Walton Started It All In The 800

Delisa Walton won the first women’s 800 at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1982. Walton is the mother of Ebonie Floyd, who finished 2nd in the 2007 100.

Gipson, Ugen Made Long Jump History

Whitney Gipson & Lorraine Ugen were the first teammates to win women’s long jump titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in consecutive years (Gipson in 2012; Ugen in 2013).