Johnson Led 1-2-3 HJ Sweep By Arizona In 1985
“All for one, one for all” is the motto of the Three Musketeers.
A trio of high jumpers from Arizona put that to action at the 1985 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.
The Wildcats had three of the four jumpers who cleared a meet record 1.88m (6-2) – still the only time in meet history with as many (four) over that height. It represented a PR for both heptathlon champ Lauri Young of Louisiana-Monroe and Arizona’s Camille Harding.
Arizona had the top two spots at this point with Maryse Ewanje-Epee ahead on fewer misses over Katrena Johnson, the latter having a share of the previous MR of 1.87m (6-1½) in 1983.
Young exited the competition at 1.85m (6-3), but Harding scored a second PR to join Ewanje-Epee and Johnson over the bar. It was also a PR for Johnson.
Three Wildcats now had a share of the MR, and never again – at least as of this writing – would any program have this many in meet history over 6-3. Or any meet.
With a 1-2-3 Arizona finish secure, the only drama left was the order. Ewanje-Epee had the edge, leading as the bar was set at 1.94m (6-4¼), the same height she had cleared the previous summer in finishing fourth at the Los Angeles Olympics for her native France.
But only Johnson could jump as high this day, scoring another PR – and the collegiate record as well – to conclude one of the finest days of high jumping and teamwork.
“If one of us is jumping well, the other two will as well,” Ewanje-Epee explained to Ruth Laney for Track & Field News.
The jumping crew, coached by Bob Myers, saw both Johnson and Harding set PRs by 2+ inches that day. Myers oversaw future logjams in the school (and CR) category, with J.C. Broughton (1990) and Tanya Hughes (1991) equaling Johnson’s 6-4¼ mark.
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.
Clemson’s Ross Kept Getting Faster In 1995
Duane Ross PR’d twice in the 110H at the 1995 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Ross won in 13.32, he became the No. 3 performer in collegiate history.
Illinois’ Kerr Went Back-To-Back At NCAAs
George Kerr won back-to-back 800/880 titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1959 & 1960. Kerr set a meet record of 1:46.4 in the 800 meters in 1960.
UCLA’s Baucham Bounded To TJ CR In 2005
Candice Baucham won the triple jump at the 2005 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a collegiate record of 14.07m (46-2). Baucham took the event by more than one foot.
San Romani Went From Unknown To Legend
Archie San Romani won back-to-back 1500/mile crowns at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1935 & 1936.
Auburn’s Glance Made Them Look Twice
Harvey Glance completed the 100-200 double as a freshman at the 1976 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He set a meet record of 10.16 in the 100.
Nova’s Rhines Did NCAA 5K Three-Peat
Jen Rhines was the first female athlete in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to win three consecutive 5K titles.
Georgia’s Erm Cruised To 2019 Decathlon Title
Johannes Erm won the decathlon at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 342 points with his 8352 total. That was also the fifth-best score in meet history.
McMillen Adapted, Set 1500 MR In 1952
Bob McMillen set a meet record in the 1500 meters of 3:50.7 at the 1952 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
LSU’s Duhaney Destroyed NCAA 200 Field In 1992
Dahlia Duhaney owns the largest margin of victory in meet history in the 200 with her 0.44-second winner at the 1992 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships.
Rice’s Roberts Cooked Up Pole Vault Greatness
Dave Roberts was the second man to win three consecutive pole vault titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, doing so from 1971 to 1973.