Three-For-Three: Woodruff Made It Look Easy
The half-mile or 800 meters is a beautifully chaotic race.
Just about anything can – and just might – happen during a two-lap race of an outdoor track, especially at the highest level of competition, such as the NCAA Division I Track & Field Championships. Go ahead and multiply that by infinity when it comes four laps of a 200-meter indoor track.
In the near 100 years since the first NCAA Track & Field Championships were established in 1921, there have only been three men who won three consecutive outdoor titles: Charles Hornbostel of Indiana from 1932 to 1934, John Woodruff of Pittsburgh from 1937 to 1939 and Jose Parrilla of Tennessee from 1992 to 1994.
Woodruff was already quite accomplished by the time he won his first NCAA title in 1937. As a freshman with the Panthers in 1936, Woodruff won the U.S. title with a world record of 1:49.8 and then came from behind to capture the Olympic gold medal later that summer, even after being boxed in so severely by other runners that he had to slow to a moderate jog to correct his path.
When Woodruff returned to the collegiate scene the following season, he left no doubt that he was the best to come through those ranks in a long time. After all, his first NCAA victory in 1937 resulted in a meet record of 1:50.3 that wasn’t broken for 15 years.
By the time he graduated from Pittsburgh in 1939, Woodruff added two more 880-yard titles to his ledger, including a full-second victory to cap his undefeated collegiate career against collegians in that event outdoors. That wasn’t just in the 880, either: According to track & field historian Dave Johnson of the Penn Relays, Woodruff never lost an outdoor race in collegiate competition in the 800/880 or 400/440.
Woodruff had high hopes for the future, which he thought would include a title defense at the 1940 Olympic Games. World War II broke out in 1941 and soon after graduating from New York University with a master’s degree in sociology, Woodruff enlisted in the military as a second lieutenant and was discharged as a captain in 1945. He re-joined the military to serve during the Korean War and left in 1957 as a lieutenant colonel.
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.
Herbst Handled Distance Double With Ease
Stephanie Herbst completed the 5K-10K double at the 1986 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, setting a CR of 32:32.75 in the 10K.
Gordy Played Hero, Sent LSU To Team Title
Matt Gordy tied for the pole vault title at the 1933 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and sent LSU to the team crown!
Kendell Williams Was Multi-Talented
Kendell Williams of Georgia won seven career national titles in the combined events, including three heptathlon crowns at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
SMU’s Robberts Dominated Throwing Events
Janus Robberts won four career titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships: 1999 (SP), 2001 (SP), 2002 (SP, DT).
Enyeart Set Meet Record In 800 Meters
Mark Enyeart won two career 800-meter titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1957 and 1977. He set a meet record of 1:45.16 with his victory in 1977.
O’Sullivan Went Back-To-Back In 3K
Sonia O’Sullivan won back-to-back 3K titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1990 and 1991.
Gilkes Completed Unique Triple Crown In 1974
James Gilkes completed an unprecedented Triple Crown in 1974, winning the 220-yard dash at the NCAA Division I, NCAA Division III & NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Burrell Family In Class Of Its Own
It’s going to be a fast feast at the Burrell house during Thanksgiving!
Malone Made Javelin History In 2016
Maggie Malone set the current meet record of 62.19m (204-0) in the javelin at the 2016 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships.
Whiting Dominated SP, Nearly Set Outdoor CR
Ryan Whiting won back-to-back shot put titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2009 and 2010, narrowly missing the collegiate record in the last year.