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.
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).