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.
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).