Patton Left Legendary Mark On NCAA Sprints
In the heats of the 1947 NCAA Championships, Mel Patton of Southern California equaled the 100-yard world record of 9.4, but amazingly he didn’t get any credit for the world record.
Even though the wind reading was 1.9 meters per second – less than the legal limit of 2.0 required by the IAAF and AAU – NCAA rules at the time had a limit of 3 miles per hour (1.3 m/s), so the performance was not submitted as a world record. (The NCAA changed its rule to 2.0 m/s the next year.)
It wouldn’t be the last time that Patton – who went on to win the first of his five NCAA sprint titles – lost world record recognition over inconsistent rules.
It happened again in 1948, but this time in the 200 meters as Patton followed up his first NCAA sprint double with an Olympic Trials win in the 200. The 200 that year was held on a turn – just as in the London Olympics that he won later that summer were – and Patton ran 20.7, equal to the fastest ever.
At least Patton was in great company: The other 20.7 belonged to none other than Jesse Owens when he won gold at the 1936 Olympics. (The IAAF did not recognize races on curves for record status until 1951.)
Did Patton ever get credit for a world record? Yes, and two of his most remarkable WRs happened in a week’s time to better a pair by Owens from his famous Day of Days at the 1935 Big Ten Championships.
In the 1949 USC-UCLA dual meet, Patton – nicknamed “Pell Mel” – ran a straightaway 220 yards in 20.2 to break Owens’ WR of 20.3, then a week later followed it with history’s first 9.3 100 yards.
Of the 9.3, Patton commented, “I can hardly believe it is true. I really don’t believe I was going as fast as that. It didn’t feel to be my fastest race.”
Patton completed a second-straight 100/200 double at the NCAA Championships in 1949, winning both at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, nearly on the USC campus. His five NCAA outdoor sprint titles is one short of the all-time best of six set by Marquette’s Ralph Metcalfe (1932-34).
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.