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.
Mikkola Set Javelin MR With Huge Win
Esko Mikkola was a two-time JT winner at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Mikkola won in 1998, he set a MR of 81.86m (268‑7) and won by 17 feet!
Little Made Big 400H History
Shamier Little won three consecutive 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 2014 & 2016. Little became the No. 2 performer in collegiate history with her 53.51 winner in 2016.
Comenentia Completed Historic Double In 2018
Denzel Comenentia became only the third man in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to complete the HT-SP double back in 2018.
Ellerbe Won After Film Review In 1939
Mozelle Ellerbe won back-to-back 100-yard dash titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1938 & 1939. His victory in the 2nd year was confirmed by a film review.
Saunders Won Back-To-Back SP Titles, Set CR
Raven Saunders won back-to-back SP titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2015 & 2016. Saunders set a CR & MR of 19.33m (63-5) in that second year.
McCullouch Ran Legendary Times At NCAAs
Earl McCullouch of Southern California won back-to-back 120H titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was a member of a WR-setting quarter-mile relay team.
Hook ‘Em, Leo: Manzano Made 1500 History
Leo Manzano was the first male freshman in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to win the 1500/mile in 2005. Manzano added a 2nd title to his haul in 2008.
Walton Started It All In The 800
Delisa Walton won the first women’s 800 at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1982. Walton is the mother of Ebonie Floyd, who finished 2nd in the 2007 100.
Rupp Capped Sensational Senior Year In 2009
Galen Rupp completed an unprecedented year at the 2009 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships when he swept the 5K & 10K.
Gipson, Ugen Made Long Jump History
Whitney Gipson & Lorraine Ugen were the first teammates to win women’s long jump titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in consecutive years (Gipson in 2012; Ugen in 2013).