Biles Brothers Boast Historic Winning Feat
Muddy conditions at the 1940 NCAA Track & Field Championships couldn’t stop Martin Biles of California. Not only did he win the javelin, he began a family tradition.
A heavy downpour in Minneapolis caused every possible field event at the NCAA meet to be moved indoors, but the javelin throwers didn’t have that option and a messy cinder runway saw everyone slipping to well below their seasonal bests.
With one round remaining, Nebraska’s Herb Grote held the lead at 202-11 (61.84m), but Biles decided to take a deliberate, slow approach on his final effort and launch the spear as far as he could. The result was a 204-10 (62.44m) throw that gave him the win.
Marty repeated as NCAA winner as a senior in 1941 at 220-1 (67.08m) and was joined in the scoring column by younger brother Robert, another Golden Bear who finished third with a PR 208-4 (63.50m) to make them the first siblings to score in the same event in NCAA meet history.
In 1942, Bob continued the brother’s winning ways with a 213-9 (65.16m) victory as the Biles became the first siblings to win NCAA titles in the same event.
Marty went on to become a 1948 Olympian and as a retired U.S. Army Colonel lived to be one of the oldest-known NCAA champions, passing away in 2017 at the age of 98.
Bob’s life, however, was cut short at age 23 by World War II. A 1st Lieutenant, he was officially listed as Missing in Action and Lost at Sea after his B-24 went down on January 20, 1945, over the Adriatic Sea on its return to Italy from a bombing mission in Austria.
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).