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.
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).