Tolbert Clocked 100H Meet Record In 1988

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Tolbert Clocked 100H Meet Record In 1988

Lynda Tolbert of Arizona State knew she was an underdog in the 100-meter hurdles at the 1988 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Most eyes were on collegiate and American record-setter Gail Devers of UCLA at 12.61. Tolbert, a recent member of a then-exclusive sub-13 club finishing behind Devers at the Pac-10 meet, warranted attention along with defending champion LaVonna Martin of Tennessee.

It was that trio that provided a thrilling race with excitement from the gun. Devers had the early lead, but Martin and Tolbert weren’t far behind and started to close the gap after the third hurdle.

Disaster struck for Devers when she hit the ninth hurdle, startling Martin who was running just beside her.

Tolbert took advantage, two lanes away from Devers. The native of Washington, D.C., sailed to the victory in 12.82, a new meet record. Martin was second in 12.85, just off the old MR of 12.84 set by Vol legend Benita Fitzgerald in 1983. Devers was third in 12.90, which equaled the previous Hayward Field record and gave the event its first collegiate trio of sub-13 hurdlers in one race.

“I’m so happy,” proclaimed an exuberant Tolbert to Reid English of the Statesman-Journal (Salem, Oregon). “I knew if I could stay with her (Devers) I’d have a chance. I ran a perfect race. I knew I had it in me, but there is nothing like doing it.”

Tolbert added an additional NCAA Outdoor title in 1990, again beating a reigning champ as LSU’s Tananjalyn Stanley had won in 1989. As a post-collegian, Tolbert made Olympic finals in 1992 and 1996 and won bronze at the 1993 World Championships.

posted: April 29, 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
Reese Left Her Mark On NCAA LJ
June 12, 2008

Brittney Reese won the long jump at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a mark of 6.93m (22-9). Reese missed the meet record by just 1cm (½ inch).

Tupuritis Shocked The Field In 1996
May 31, 1996

Einars Tupuritis won the 800 at the 1996 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 0.14 seconds! Turpiritis crossed the finish line in 1:45.08.

Ellis Sent USC To A Thrilling Victory
June 9, 2018

Kendall Ellis had a remarkable come-from-behind victory in the 4×400 relay at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships that sent Southern California to the meet title.