Patience Paid Off For Stanford’s Plumer In 1984

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Patience Paid Off For Stanford’s Plumer In 1984

Being runner-up can be bittersweet.

Just ask PattiSue Plumer, who completed two 1-2 finishes for Stanford in the 3000 meters at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1982 and 1983, helping the Cardinal each outing: Stanford finished fifth in the team standings in that first year; sixth in the second.

Even after a third runner-up finish in the 1984 3K (This time not to another Stanford runner), Plumer hoped to finally be on the winning side of things in the 5000 at Historic Hayward Field, which would be her final career event at any NCAA Championships.

Plumer saved her best for last, as she captured the 5K crown in a meet-record 15:39.38. It happened to be another Cardinal 1-2, but teammate Alison Wiley, the 1983 NCAA 3K champ, took runner-up honors this time.

In addition to being part of a remarkable three 1-2 program finishes, Plumer ended the collegiate portion of her career with another distinction. She was the last woman to own absolute (combined indoor and outdoor) collegiate records in the 3K and 5K at the same time, having run 8:53.54 in the 3K indoors in 1983 as well as 15:29.0 in the 5K outdoors in 1984.

Plumer’s post-collegiate success included multiple Olympic finals that included still another event, the 1500 in 1992.

posted: March 16, 2021
1921-2021
The NCAA's First Championships

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.

Memorable Moments
Plab Reached Lofty Heights In NCAA HJ

Darrin Plab won back-to-back HJ titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1991 & 1992. Plab cleared 2.34m (7-8) in 1992 & tied the 2nd best bar in meet history.

Peoples Made History One Lap At A Time

Maurice Peoples won the 440-yard dash in 1973 & then really turned up the heat. Peoples split 43.4 on the Sun Devils’ mile relay team that finished third in the final.

KU’s Lokedi Set 10K MR In 2018

Sharon Lokedi won the 10K at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in a meet-record 32:09.20. Lokedi led five other women under the old final-site best, too.

Can Ereng Kick It? Yes, He Can!

Paul Ereng won back-to-back 800-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1988 & 1989. Ereng is still the current indoor record holder in the event.

Dwight Stones Set High Jump WR In 1976

Dwight Stones set a world record in the high jump of 2.31m (7-7) at the 1976 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Stones also raised the MR by more than 3 inches!