El Moutawakel Had Legendary Year In 1984
“First” will always be part of Nawal El Moutawakel’s story.
The Iowa State grad’s career is so full of achievements that few remember one of her initial “firsts” – running in the finals of both the 400 meters and 400-meter hurdles in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
The first of those NCAA finals was her specialty, the 400 hurdles – twice earlier in the year she set collegiate records, each time winning a race by some four seconds.
On Friday in the NCAA meet, El Moutawakel bolted to an immediate lead that grew to a meet-record victory in 55.84.
“I was a little scared because I had run the preliminaries in both the hurdles and 400 before this final,” she explained to Jon Hendershott of Track & Field News. “But I didn’t try to save anything. I gave it all I had.”
The next day the Cyclone star claimed fourth in the 400 at 52.23, finishing behind a trio of soon-to-be finalists at the Los Angeles Olympics.
It was in those Olympic Games, in fact, where El Moutawakel had her most famous first, winning the inaugural women’s 400 hurdles in an “all-dates” collegiate best of 54.61 that made her the first gold medalist from Morocco.
El Moutawakel was a member of the first IAAF (now World Athletics) Athletes’ Commission in 1989 and in 1995 became one of the first two women elected to the WA Council – a position she still holds.
El Moutawakel is also in her third stint as a member of the IOC’s Executive Board after having served in 2008-12 and 2012-16 – the latter as a Vice-President. She’s the first woman from track & field to be on the Board and be an officer.
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.
ON THIS DAY: Kerley Set 400-Meter CR In Austin
Fred Kerley set a collegiate record in the 400 on this day in 2017. Kerley went 43.70 at the NCAA DI West Preliminary Round in Austin, Texas.
Reese Left Her Mark On NCAA LJ
Brittney Reese won the long jump at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a mark of 6.93m (22-9). Reese missed the meet record by just 1cm (½ inch).
Foster Won All-Time Classic 110H In 1978
Greg Foster won an epic 110H race at the 1978 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Foster beat Renaldo Nehemiah & set an AR, CR & MR in the process with his 13.22.
D’Agostino Won By Slim Margin In 2012
Abbey D’Agostino won back-to-back 5K titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2012 & 2013. When D’Agostino won in 2012, it was by just 0.03 seconds.
Tupuritis Shocked The Field In 1996
Einars Tupuritis won the 800 at the 1996 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 0.14 seconds! Turpiritis crossed the finish line in 1:45.08.
Arkansas’ Brown Notched All-Time 100H Mark
Janeek Brown won the 100H at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 12.40, narrowly missing the collegiate record and meet record.
Brown Paced Tennessee To 1974 Team Title
Doug Brown won back-to-back steeplechase titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1973 & 1974. His victory in 1973 was by 17.2 seconds!
EMU’s Jones Hurdled Into NCAA History
Hayes Jones completed the 120H-220H sweep at the 1959 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. Jones won the last 220H title ever awarded at the meet.
Ellis Sent USC To A Thrilling Victory
Kendall Ellis had a remarkable come-from-behind victory in the 4×400 relay at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships that sent Southern California to the meet title.
Paige Turned Three NCAA Mid-Distance Titles
Don Paige won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, including a 800-1500 sweep in 1979.