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.
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Powell Capped Career With 2006 Masterpiece
Ginnie Powell won back-to-back 100H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2005 & 2006. Powell set a collegiate record with her 12.48 from that second year.
Fromm Rewrote NCAA Javelin History
John Fromm won back-to-back javelin titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1957 & 1958. Fromm set MRs each time, hitting 257-1 (78.36m) in that second year.
Allen Sealed Oregon’s Title With 110H MR
Devon Allen won two career 110H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Allen set a MR of 13.16 in 2014.
Deniz Won Epic Discus Final In 1983
Leslie Deniz won the discus throw at the 1983 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a MR heave of 63.96m (209-10).
Fonville Made Shot Put History In 1947
Charles Fonville won back-to-back shot put titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1947 & 1948. His best mark came in 1947 when he won at 16.73m (54‑10⅞).
Montana’s Brown Set Two MRs in 1965
Doug Brown completed the 3-mile/6-mile double at the 1965 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships with MRs in each event: 13:40.2 in the 3-mile, 27:59.2 in the 6-mile.
Hook ‘Em, Courtney: Okolo Starred At NCAAs
Courtney Okolo won two career 400-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Okolo’s 50.23 winner from 2014 is the fastest mark by a sophomore in meet history.
UTEP’s Munyala Dominated The Steeplechase
James Munyala won three consecutive steeplechase titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 1975 & 1977. He set a MR of 8:24.86 in 1976.
UCLA’s Johnson Set MRs In Back-To-Back Years
Sheena Johnson won back-to-back 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2003 & 2004. Johnson set MRs each time: 54.24 (2003) & 53.54 (2004).