Northrop Doubles Down In A Unique Way

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Northrop Doubles Down In A Unique Way

Phil Northrop of Michigan was an uncommon javelin thrower.

The fact that he became the event’s first two-time winner at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1926 and 1927 – with heaves of 201-11 and 200-10, respectively – while remarkable, wasn’t the most unique facet about him during his time with the Wolverines.

The uncommon aspect is that he doubled both years in very different events: In 1925, he tied for the pole vault title at 12-5 (3.78m) and in 1926, he was second in long jump at 23-0 (7.01m). Neither double-scoring combination (javelin-pole vault or javelin-long jump) has ever otherwise been achieved in this meet.

Northrop, who was a sophomore in 1925 and a junior in 1926, entered the 1927 campaign as the presumptive favorite to win a third javelin crown. That coronation would not come to fruition as Northrop injured a tendon in his throwing elbow, “due to insufficient ‘warming up’ in the cold weather that prevailed,” prior to the first meet of the season, according to the Detroit Free Press. He later won the Penn Relays and had one effort at the Big Ten Championships, finishing third. Unfortunately Northrop never competed again on the national level.

posted: July 30, 2020
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
Reese Left Her Mark On NCAA LJ
June 12, 2008

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).

Tupuritis Shocked The Field In 1996
May 31, 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.

Ellis Sent USC To A Thrilling Victory
June 9, 2018

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.