Peoples Made History One Lap At A Time
Maurice Peoples of Arizona State turned in one of history’s greatest one-lap performances at the 1973 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
And it wasn’t his upset victory in the 440 yards, which he won relatively easily to equal the year’s fastest time in the world at 45.0 at Bernie Moore Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The real stunner came just under an hour later in the mile relay. The Sun Devils were in seventh place at the final exchange, more than two seconds behind UCLA when Peoples received the baton.
As John Wenos reported for Track & Field News, Peoples “proceeded to eat up the track (and fellow anchormen) like his life depended on it.”
Timers caught Peoples in a staggering 21.5 at the 220-yard point, but he continued to make up ground. Peoples now had the attention of almost everyone as he stormed down the homestretch, bringing ASU to a photo-finish with Texas for the runner-up spot (both in 3:05.0) behind UCLA (3:04.3).
Amazingly, Peoples had just split an unbelievable 43.4, the fastest ever in a mile relay. The fastest split in the 4 x 400-meter relay was 43.2, interestingly set by another Sun Devil great, Ron Freeman, on the second leg of the U.S. Olympic team in 1968 in Mexico City.
Statisticians use a 0.3-second differential to equate 440-yard times with the shorter 400 meters, meaning Peoples’ 43.4 was worth 43.1 on a converted basis. Peoples’ split was equaled as the world’s fastest in the 1992 Olympics by Quincy Watts. The mark surpassed in 1993 when Michael Johnson recorded an auto-timed 42.91 at the World Championships.
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.