Roesler Dusted The Competition In 2014
Answer: Negative splits and a sizable margin of victory.
Question: What are two things you don’t expect to see in a championship 800-meter race?
Well, Laura Roesler of Oregon bucked the trend six years ago at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Running on her home track at Historic Hayward Field, Roesler left no doubt that she was the Queen of the Half-Mile at the collegiate level as she completed the indoor-outdoor sweep.
Roesler seemingly toyed with the field for 600 meters. The Duck standout sat sixth through 400 meters at 61.06, letting the competition set the pace and remained there for the next half-lap.
Once the race hit 200 meters to go, Roesler unleashed a monstrous kick that left everybody else standing still. Roesler extended her already insurmountable lead with each stride and crossed the finish line in 2:01.22 for a 1.70-second margin of victory and a 60.16-second final circuit.
That marked the second largest differential between a champion and runner-up in meet history, only bettered by Inez Turner of Texas State in 1995 (2.24 seconds).
“Coach [Robert] Johnson said to make one move and one move only, and so I made it then,” Roesler told the media after the race. “It worked out for me today.”
Roesler doubled back in the 4×400 the next day with a 51.61 split on the third leg. Oregon took third in that race and added six points to its third-place team total of 38 points (That marked the continuation of a streak of eight consecutive years where the Ducks made the NCAA podium).
Later that year, Roesler won The Bowerman, collegiate track & field’s highest honor.
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.
ON THIS DAY: Kerley Set 400-Meter CR In Austin
Fred Kerley set a collegiate record in the 400 on this day in 2017. Kerley went 43.70 at the NCAA DI West Preliminary Round in Austin, Texas.
Reese Left Her Mark On NCAA LJ
Brittney Reese won the long jump at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a mark of 6.93m (22-9). Reese missed the meet record by just 1cm (½ inch).
Foster Won All-Time Classic 110H In 1978
Greg Foster won an epic 110H race at the 1978 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Foster beat Renaldo Nehemiah & set an AR, CR & MR in the process with his 13.22.
D’Agostino Won By Slim Margin In 2012
Abbey D’Agostino won back-to-back 5K titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2012 & 2013. When D’Agostino won in 2012, it was by just 0.03 seconds.
Tupuritis Shocked The Field In 1996
Einars Tupuritis won the 800 at the 1996 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 0.14 seconds! Turpiritis crossed the finish line in 1:45.08.
Arkansas’ Brown Notched All-Time 100H Mark
Janeek Brown won the 100H at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 12.40, narrowly missing the collegiate record and meet record.
Brown Paced Tennessee To 1974 Team Title
Doug Brown won back-to-back steeplechase titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1973 & 1974. His victory in 1973 was by 17.2 seconds!
EMU’s Jones Hurdled Into NCAA History
Hayes Jones completed the 120H-220H sweep at the 1959 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. Jones won the last 220H title ever awarded at the meet.
Ellis Sent USC To A Thrilling Victory
Kendall Ellis had a remarkable come-from-behind victory in the 4×400 relay at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships that sent Southern California to the meet title.
Paige Turned Three NCAA Mid-Distance Titles
Don Paige won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, including a 800-1500 sweep in 1979.