Leatherwood Rolled To Back-To-Back 400 Titles
Lillie Leatherwood of Alabama made it look easy winning the 400 meters at the 1987 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Leatherwood, who was the first two-time winner in that event in meet history, actually eased up in crossing the finish line in 50.90 to break the meet record set in 1983 by UCLA’s Florence Griffith (50.94).
That’s because Leatherwood’s work wasn’t done. She had already scored in the 200 (second place) and 4×100 relay (third place as the third leg), and the 4×400 relay was left.
The last event was crucial for Alabama, which aimed to win the program’s first team crown in the sport (men or women, indoors or outdoors). Host LSU led going in 56-53 and the Tigers were figured to get points as one of the country’s best foursomes.
A win looked favorable for the Crimson Tide, which entered with the nation’s fastest quartet – not to mention being anchored by Leatherwood, who scorched the meet’s first-ever sub-50 leg in the 1986 meet in 49.6.
Alabama roared home with final legs of 50.3 and 49.7 by Pauline Davis and Leatherwood to cross the finish line first in 3:28.56 – just a tenth off the collegiate record – and an apparent team victory, 63-61 over LSU.
However, an exchange zone foul called on Davis for standing outside the zone disqualified the Tide, giving LSU a 62-53 win. The ruling was upheld on appeal, leaving Alabama as runners-up in a finish that still stokes many Crimson Tide fans.
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).