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.
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).