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.
SIU’s Roggy Dominated The Javelin In 1978
Bob Roggy won the javelin title at the 1978 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by more than 20 feet. Roggy qualified first for the final with a MR heave of 89.30m (293‑0).
Makusha Made History In Bowerman Year Of 2011
Ngoni Makusha became just the fourth man in meet history to win individual titles in both the 100 and LJ. It was his 3rd career LJ crown and he set a CR in the 100 of 9.89.
George Mason’s Gage Shocked The NCAA LJ In 1988
Nena Gage won the long jump at the 1988 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in a shocking upset over Gail Devers.
Texas’ Thompson Marveled In NCAA Distance Events
Jerry Thompson won three career distance titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. His first came in 1943. Then he won again in 1947 & 1948 after serving in World War II.
Grinnell’s Paulu Sprinted To NCAA History
Leonard Paulu was the first athlete to complete the 100-200 double in NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships history in 1922. That also made him the 1st to win back-to-back 100 titles, too.
Scott Won Back-To-Back NCAA Hammer Titles
Candice Scott won back-to-back hammer throw titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2003 & 2004. Scott set a meet record of 69.77m (228-11) in that first year.
Drouin Soared To The Bowerman In 2013
Derek Drouin won two career HJ titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Drouin won in 2013, he was only the fourth man to clear 2.34m (7-8) in meet history.
Watts Made Quick Work Of NCAA 400
Quincy Watts set a meet record in the 400 of 44.00 at the 1992 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships. It lasted 25 years until 2017.
Iowa State’s Koll Rolled To 5K-10K Crowns
Lisa Koll won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in dominant fashion. Her average margin of victory in those 5K & 10K races was 37.73 seconds.
LSU’s Hardin Completed Unique 440-220H Double Twice
The nearly unheard of 440-220H double was so nice that Glenn Hardin did it twice! Hardin became the first to do so in meet history in 1933 and then swept them again in 1934.