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.
Sternberg Reached New Heights In 1963
Brian Sternberg won the pole vault title at the 1963 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He was the first athlete to clear 16 feet in meet history at 4.97m (16-3¾).
Williams Went Back-To-Back With CR In 1996
Tonya Williams won back-to-back 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1995 & 1996. She set a CR of 54.56 in 1996 & won by 0.35 seconds.
Kimobwa Ran Into Record Book In 1977
Samson Kimobwa set a MR in the 10K of 28:10.27 at the 1977 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He won by 12.21 seconds in a race that saw the top-2 finishers under previous meet record.
Florida’s Taylor Set All-Conditions TJ Best In 2011
Christian Taylor set an all-conditions meet best in the triple jump of 17.80m (58-4¾) at the 2011 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Taylor also won the TJ crown in 2010.
Johnson Led 1-2-3 HJ Sweep By Arizona In 1985
Katrena Johnson led a 1-2-3 finish by Arizona athletes in the high jump at the 1985 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Johnson cleared 1.94m (6-4¼) to set a collegiate record.
Fresno State’s Robinson Equaled WR In 1957
Ancel Robinson equaled the world record in the 220H of 22.2 at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. He also matched the American record & collegiate record.
Johnson Set 1500 MR After Thrilling Duel
Sinclaire Johnson set a meet record in the 1500 of 4:05.98 at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Johnson won an epic duel against Jessica Hull of Oregon.
Bohni Soared To Pole Vault MR In 1983
Felix Bohni set a meet record in the pole vault of 5.55m (18‑2½) at the 1983 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Bohni was one of three men to top 18 feet.
Frerichs Broke Steeplechase Records In 2016
Courtney Frerichs set a collegiate record in the steeplechase of 9:24.41 at the 2016 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Frerichs won by the second largest margin in meet history.
URI’s Black Rolled To NCAA’s 1st 10K Title
Robert Black won the first 10,000-meter title ever awarded at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1948. Black crossed the finish line in 32:13.5, 48 seconds ahead of the runner-up.