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.
Bagyula Boasted Incredible Pole Vault Prowess
Istvan Bagyula won three consecutive pole vault titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 1990 & 1992. He was the first to clear 19 feet (5.80m) in 1991.
Rotich Went Back-To-Back-To-Back In Steeple
Anthony Rotich won three consecutive steeplechase titles, doing so from 2013 to 2015. His 8:21.19 from 2013 is the ninth fastest mark in meet history.
Lawrence Twins Doubled Down On Outdoor Crowns
Twins Shadae & Shardia Lawrence both won titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships: Shardae in the discus (2017); Shardia in the triple jump (2019).
Sink Steepled Into The Record Book
Sid Sink won back-to-back titles in the steeplechase at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1970 & 1971. He set meet records in each of those years.
Georgia Tech’s Taylor Triumphed In 1998
Angelo Taylor won the 400 Hurdles and doubled back to anchor the winning 4×400 relay team at the 1998 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Tennessee’s Skinner Set Javelin MR In 1970
Bill Skinner set a meet record in the javelin of 82.49m (270-8) at the 1970 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships.
Turner Left No Doubt In 800 Meters
Inez Turner won the 800 meters at the 1995 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships by 2.24 seconds for what is still the largest margin of victory in meet history.
Cheruiyot Won By Slim Margin In 1989
Kip Cheruiyot beat teammate Peter Rono by 0.03 seconds in the 1500 at the 1989 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. It was the closest margin of victory since the NCAA adopted FAT.
Emordi Led Texas Southern 1-2 LJ Finish In 1987
Paul Emordi led the only 1-2 finish by teammates in the men’s long jump at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1987. Emordi won with a leap of 8.25m (27-0¾).
Anchor Down: Tolbert Set 400H CR In 1997
Ryan Tolbert set a collegiate record in the 400 Hurdles of 54.54 at the 1997 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. Tolbert also finished third in the open 400!