Ewen Was A True Triple Threat At NCAAs
Maggie Ewen of Arizona State is the only woman in the storied history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships to win national titles in three different throwing events.
Here’s the kicker: Ewen nearly accomplished that feat in a single year.
Ewen entered the 2018 campaign with an already impressive resume from 2017. In addition to winning the national title in the hammer with a then-collegiate-record-setting heave of 73.32m (240-7), Ewen placed runner-up in the discus and sixth in the shot to lead all scorers that year.
READ MORE: Arizona State’s Maggie Ewen Leaves Her Mark
Well, after winning the indoor national title in the shot and notching the fourth best mark in collegiate history of 19.20m (63-0) earlier in the season, Ewen asserted herself as the odds-on favorite to win that event outdoors. Ewen only cemented that fact in late April at the Desert Heat Classic when she broke Raven Saunders’ two-year-old collegiate outdoor record by more than five inches at 19.46m (63-10¼) and posted six other all-time top-10 marks during the year.
Winning the discus would present the toughest challenge with defending champion Shadae Lawrence of Kansas State standing in the way. Lawrence, who captured the 2017 crown with only the eighth winning mark of more than 200 feet since 1984, qualified first out of the West Preliminary Round the year with a heave of 62.10m (203-9) that made her the sixth best performer in NCAA Championships history at the time.
As it turns out, for better or worse, Ewen only needed to focus on the discus and shot in Eugene, Oregon. That’s because, even though she dominated the hammer during the regular season and bettered her collegiate record to 74.53m (244-6) – among five other all-time top-10 marks – Ewen failed to advance out of the West Preliminary Round after recording three fouls.
Nothing flustered Ewen at Hayward Field, however, as she took command of the leaderboard early in the shot and came from behind to win the discus. Ewen could have won the shot with her opening salvo of 18.74m (61-5¾), but bettered that to 19.17m (62-10¾) for the second best mark in meet history behind Saunders’ former collegiate record. Then it was in the discus where Ewen fell to third place after Lawrence’s sixth attempt, yet proved resolute and launched the implement 60.48m (198-5) through the rain on her final throw to complete the first double in those events since 2000.
Ewen was a two-time finalist for The Bowerman, once in 2017 and then again in 2018.
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.
Carr Displayed His World Record Speed
Henry Carr set a meet record in the 220 yards of 20.5 at the 1963 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Joaquim Cruz’d To Meet Record, 800-1500 Double
Joaquim Cruz won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. In 1983, he set a meet record in the 800 of 1:44.91 & completed the 800-1500 double in 1984.
Back-To-Back 200-Meter Crowns For Annelus
Anglerne “Angie” Annelus won back-to-back 200m titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2018 & 2019. Her 22.16 winner from 2019 is the 4th fastest mark in collegiate history.
Indoors? Outdoors? Johnson Starred In The PV
Jan Johnson won the pole vault title at the 1970 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships and tied the meet record of 17-7.
Beard Capped Sensational Year At NCAAs
Jessica Beard won the 400 & then split the fastest 4×400 leg ever recorded at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to lead Texas A&M to a relay crown.
Biles Brothers Boast Historic Winning Feat
Martin Biles & Robert Biles were the first siblings to win the same event at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Marty won the javelin in 1940 & 1941, while Robert did so in 1942.
Branta Set NCAA MRs In 1500, 3000
Cathy Branta set meet records in back-to-back years at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships: 8:59.57 in the 3000 (1984); 4:12.64 in the 1500 (1985) as part of a 1500-3K double.
Brophy Led “Deca Central” With MR In 1992
Brian Brophy led a 1-2 finish by Tennessee athletes in the decathlon at the 1992 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. He won with a meet record of 8276 points.
UCLA’s Brenner Won Amazing SP Duel In 1984
John Brenner completed the discus-shot put double at the 1984 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships and won the shot put after an incredible duel against Michael Carter.
Ellerbe, Misipeka Dominated The Hammer
Dawn Ellerbe and Lisa Misipeka went 1-2 in each of the first two years that the women’s hammer was contested at the NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.