LSU Hurdle Dominance Yet To Be Matched
In 1989, the LSU women’s program was early in its record 11-year run of team titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, but its hurdling group was building a legacy that has yet to be matched.
Tananjalyn Stanley led a 1-2 LSU finish in the 100-meter hurdles at the 1989 NCAA Championships, topping an event dominance that only LSU itself has matched or exceeded.
Stanley – her first name is pronounced “tuh-NAN-juh-lynn” – clocked a meet-record 12.70 to win by 0.25 seconds over freshman teammate Cinnamon Sheffield, whose 12.95 made LSU the first school with two sub-13 hurdlers in the same race.
Stanley had shown her talent earlier in the year, winning the NCAA Indoor 55-meter hurdle title in a collegiate record 7.47 and by 0.22 seconds – still the largest margin by a female hurdler at any indoor NCAA distance.
The hurdle group at LSU showed even more dominance in 1990, placing four in the event’s NCAA final for the only time in meet history. Though a repeat victory eluded the Lady Tigers – Arizona State’s Lynda Tolbert won – Sheffield and Stanley (now recovering from knee surgery) led a 2-3-6-7 finish for 19 points, one more than LSU’s 1989 total of 18 in the event.
A year later, LSU would increase its event total in the NCAA meet to 22, thanks to the newest members of the scoring crew in Dawn Bowles and Mary Cobb.
Then in 1991, Bowles led yet another 1-2 LSU finish – the only other in the event besides LSU’s in 1989 – but this time it was actually a 1-2-5 finish as Bowles won in a wind-aided 12.70, matching Stanley’s MR. Cobb – who had won the NCAA Indoor hurdles in March – followed in 12.97, with Sheffield again scoring as the group amassed a 22-point total that remains the highest of any hurdle group in meet history – men or women.
At this point in history, LSU claimed the most sub-13 hurdlers – three with legal wind and four under all conditions at a time when no other program had more than two in either category.
No program ever matched any of the NCAA women’s 100-meter hurdle point totals LSU amassed in 1989-91.
Bowles and Sheffield scored again in 1992 (2-4) as each contributed to additional LSU legacies – part of a winning NCAA team, and each as a member of a winning 4 x 100 squad.
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.
Iowa’s Gordon Made Competition Pay In LJ
Edward Gordon won three consecutive long jump titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships from 1929 to 1931.
Powell Capped Career With 2006 Masterpiece
Ginnie Powell won back-to-back 100H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2005 & 2006. Powell set a collegiate record with her 12.48 from that second year.
Fromm Rewrote NCAA Javelin History
John Fromm won back-to-back javelin titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1957 & 1958. Fromm set MRs each time, hitting 257-1 (78.36m) in that second year.
Allen Sealed Oregon’s Title With 110H MR
Devon Allen won two career 110H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Allen set a MR of 13.16 in 2014.
Deniz Won Epic Discus Final In 1983
Leslie Deniz won the discus throw at the 1983 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a MR heave of 63.96m (209-10).
Fonville Made Shot Put History In 1947
Charles Fonville won back-to-back shot put titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1947 & 1948. His best mark came in 1947 when he won at 16.73m (54‑10⅞).
Montana’s Brown Set Two MRs in 1965
Doug Brown completed the 3-mile/6-mile double at the 1965 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships with MRs in each event: 13:40.2 in the 3-mile, 27:59.2 in the 6-mile.
Hook ‘Em, Courtney: Okolo Starred At NCAAs
Courtney Okolo won two career 400-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Okolo’s 50.23 winner from 2014 is the fastest mark by a sophomore in meet history.
UTEP’s Munyala Dominated The Steeplechase
James Munyala won three consecutive steeplechase titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 1975 & 1977. He set a MR of 8:24.86 in 1976.
UCLA’s Johnson Set MRs In Back-To-Back Years
Sheena Johnson won back-to-back 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2003 & 2004. Johnson set MRs each time: 54.24 (2003) & 53.54 (2004).