Hook ‘Em, Leo: Manzano Made 1500 History
Very little respect was accorded to Leonel “Leo” Manzano leading into the 1500 meters at the 2005 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, California.
Manzano finished last in a 10-man NCAA Indoor mile final in March and more than a dozen names were faster on the outdoor 1500-meter list. Even when Manzano PR’d in the NCAA heats at 3:41.27, he was fifth and didn’t warrant attention as a potential champion.
Everything changed for the Longhorn freshman in a memorable final.
Chris Lukezic of Georgetown led the first two laps in 1:56.9 and extended his lead to 10 meters at the bell in 2:54.1. The chase pack was large and began its assault on Lukezic, who held the lead until a homestretch dash for the finish saw an incredible eight runners with a chance for victory.
Manzano not only took the lead, but unleashed a punishing finish that saw him win in 3:37.13 to become the first male freshman to win the 1500/mile in meet history. He won by over a second in a mass finish as the top-9 finishers set PRs.
Manzano’s collegiate career is among the most remarkable in the event, scoring all four years and finishing in 2008 with another NCAA title. His career total of 33 points (using the current 8-place system) is second only in the 1500/mile to the 35 of Wisconsin great Don Gehrmann, who was fourth in 1947 before becoming the event’s first 3-time champ.
Manzano is also one of two runners to combine victories in the indoor 1500/mile and outdoor 1500/mile and add a 1600-meter anchor leg on the winning indoor distance medley relay team in the same year. Manzano accomplished that in 2008, matching Michigan’s Kevin Sullivan in 1995.
At the London Olympics in 2012, Manzano earned silver, the first medal in the event by an American male since Jim Ryun’s silver in 1968.
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.
Guthrie-Gresham Generates Greatness
Diane Guthrie-Gresham of George Mason broke the collegiate record in the heptathlon with 6527 points at the 1995 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Conway Raises The Bar In 1989
Hollis Conway of Southwestern Louisiana set the American record and collegiate record in the high jump at the 1989 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships!
Conley Soars; Razorbacks Complete Triple Crown
Mike Conley scored 28¾ points to lead Arkansas to its first outdoor team title, which completed the vaunted “Triple Crown,” as the program also captured the cross country and indoor titles already in the academic year.
Wisconsin’s Favor Goes Into The Record Book … Again
Suzy Favor of Wisconsin became the first woman in NCAA Division I track & field history to not only win four consecutive 1500-meter crowns, but complete the 800-1500 double at the NCAA meet.
Angela Williams Stands Tall In History
Angela Williams of Southern California was the first athlete (man or woman) to win four consecutive 100-meter titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Carlos’ Triple Leads “Speed City” Spartans
John Carlos of San Jose State became the first athlete to complete the sprint triple at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships with victories in the 100, 200 (220) and 4×100 (440-yard) relay.
Jesse Owens Completes The Quadruple-Double
ON THIS DAY: Jesse Owens completed the quadruple-double, winning four NCAA titles in two consecutive years.
“Bullet Bob” Hayes Wins Lone Shot At NCAAs
Bob Hayes of Florida A&M won his first – and only – NCAA title 56 years ago when he won the 200 meters in a wind-aided 20.4.
Southern’s Milburn Clears All Hurdles In His Way
Rodney Milburn of Southern capped a legendary collegiate career 47 years ago when he won the 120-yard high hurdles title at the 1973 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in a meet-record time of 13.1.
Sua’s Sweep Cements Unprecedented Legacy
Seilala Sua of UCLA became the most decorated individual female champion in the history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships 20 years ago.