Fromm Rewrote NCAA Javelin History
John Fromm’s first collegiate record almost never happened.
The junior javelin thrower from Pacific Lutheran was in danger of not qualifying for the finals of the 1957 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Austin.
That changed on his last throw of the trials.
Despite having won the NAIA Championships a week earlier with the year’s top collegiate effort of 243-11 (74.34m), Fromm was the last and final qualifier in the NCAA meet at 213-11 (65.20m).
As Track & Field News co-founder Bert Nelson reported, a sleepless night seemed to help Fromm as the next day “he moved into fourth with 225-0 (68.58m), then uncorked the winner on his ultimate try.”
The distance of 247-1 (75.32m) wasn’t just a PR, but also a new meet and collegiate record.
Fromm’s uneasiness was a result of his unfamiliarity with using a new Held javelin, the en vogue model designed by Dick Held, brother of three-time NCAA champ Bud Held of Stanford. Held javelins had just begun a rage of popularity in the mid-1950s.
Fromm was a heavy favorite for the 1958 NCAA meet in Berkeley, especially having improved his own CR to 252-10½ (77.06m). But still Fromm entered the finals trailing New Mexico’s Buster Quist, who had PRed 239-9 (73.08m).
On his last effort Fromm unleashed a huge throw which landed with its middle on the concrete curb of the track. It was ruled fair, and the measurement of 257-1 (78.36m) gave the Lute another CR as he won by a then-meet record margin of 17-4 (5.28m).
Fromm’s NCAA titles were the first in any sport for the small school in Tacoma, Washington, which now competes in NCAA Division III. He remains the only javelin thrower to set CRs in more than one NCAA meet.
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.
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
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.
Comenentia Completed Historic Double In 2018
Denzel Comenentia became only the third man in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to complete the HT-SP double back in 2018.
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.
Saunders Won Back-To-Back SP Titles, Set CR
Raven Saunders won back-to-back SP titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2015 & 2016. Saunders set a CR & MR of 19.33m (63-5) in that second year.
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.
Hook ‘Em, Leo: Manzano Made 1500 History
Leo Manzano was the first male freshman in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to win the 1500/mile in 2005. Manzano added a 2nd title to his haul in 2008.
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.
Rupp Capped Sensational Senior Year In 2009
Galen Rupp completed an unprecedented year at the 2009 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships when he swept the 5K & 10K.
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).