Grinnell’s Paulu Sprinted To NCAA History

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Grinnell’s Paulu Sprinted To NCAA History

Leonard Paulu’s sprint career seemed unlikely, but he started two trends that remain popular at the 1922 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Those trends are winning titles – either as a repeat champion or double victor.

Paulu, from small Grinnell College near Des Moines, Iowa, won the 100 yards at the inaugural NCAA Championships in 1921, then returned to Amos Alonzo Stagg Field in Chicago for the 1922 meet to improve his meet record from 10.0 to 9.9.

That 100-yard victory made Paulu the first repeat winner in meet history (not counting ties). A total of 19 men have won multiple titles in the 100 yards/meters (only the men’s shot put, with 22, has more).

Paulu came back in the 220 with another win, lowering the meet record to 21.8 in becoming the meet’s first 100/200 double winner. That event combination is the meet’s most successful double, having been achieved 35 times by 27 men (and 12 times by 12 women).

The unlikely part of Paulu’s story is that he returned to Grinnell in 1919 after sustaining injuries from shrapnel while serving in World War I in 1918. Paulu lost an eye and surgery on his right leg caused a four-inch differential in his stride, his right being shorter than his left.

Of joining the track squad, Paulu recalled to Maury White of the Des Moines Register in 1978, “Chuck Hoyt had returned to the school as the track coach and was teaching my physical education class that spring. One day, he had us run a sprint. I won.”

posted: March 23, 2021
1921-2021
The NCAA's First Championships

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.

Memorable Moments
Plab Reached Lofty Heights In NCAA HJ

Darrin Plab won back-to-back HJ titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1991 & 1992. Plab cleared 2.34m (7-8) in 1992 & tied the 2nd best bar in meet history.

Peoples Made History One Lap At A Time

Maurice Peoples won the 440-yard dash in 1973 & then really turned up the heat. Peoples split 43.4 on the Sun Devils’ mile relay team that finished third in the final.

KU’s Lokedi Set 10K MR In 2018

Sharon Lokedi won the 10K at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in a meet-record 32:09.20. Lokedi led five other women under the old final-site best, too.

Can Ereng Kick It? Yes, He Can!

Paul Ereng won back-to-back 800-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1988 & 1989. Ereng is still the current indoor record holder in the event.

Dwight Stones Set High Jump WR In 1976

Dwight Stones set a world record in the high jump of 2.31m (7-7) at the 1976 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Stones also raised the MR by more than 3 inches!