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.
SIU’s Roggy Dominated The Javelin In 1978
Bob Roggy won the javelin title at the 1978 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by more than 20 feet. Roggy qualified first for the final with a MR heave of 89.30m (293‑0).
Makusha Made History In Bowerman Year Of 2011
Ngoni Makusha became just the fourth man in meet history to win individual titles in both the 100 and LJ. It was his 3rd career LJ crown and he set a CR in the 100 of 9.89.
George Mason’s Gage Shocked The NCAA LJ In 1988
Nena Gage won the long jump at the 1988 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in a shocking upset over Gail Devers.
Texas’ Thompson Marveled In NCAA Distance Events
Jerry Thompson won three career distance titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. His first came in 1943. Then he won again in 1947 & 1948 after serving in World War II.
Grinnell’s Paulu Sprinted To NCAA History
Leonard Paulu was the first athlete to complete the 100-200 double in NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships history in 1922. That also made him the 1st to win back-to-back 100 titles, too.
Scott Won Back-To-Back NCAA Hammer Titles
Candice Scott won back-to-back hammer throw titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2003 & 2004. Scott set a meet record of 69.77m (228-11) in that first year.
Drouin Soared To The Bowerman In 2013
Derek Drouin won two career HJ titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Drouin won in 2013, he was only the fourth man to clear 2.34m (7-8) in meet history.
Watts Made Quick Work Of NCAA 400
Quincy Watts set a meet record in the 400 of 44.00 at the 1992 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships. It lasted 25 years until 2017.
Iowa State’s Koll Rolled To 5K-10K Crowns
Lisa Koll won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in dominant fashion. Her average margin of victory in those 5K & 10K races was 37.73 seconds.
LSU’s Hardin Completed Unique 440-220H Double Twice
The nearly unheard of 440-220H double was so nice that Glenn Hardin did it twice! Hardin became the first to do so in meet history in 1933 and then swept them again in 1934.