BYU’s Mann Set World Record In 440 Hurdles
In the near 100-year history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, only four athletes — men or women — have won three consecutive titles in the 400-Meter or 440-Yard Hurdles.
Ralph Mann of BYU was the first from 1969 to 1971.
Mann would later be joined by Danny Harris of Iowa State (1984-1986), Janeene Vickers of UCLA (1989-1991) and most recently, Shamier Little of Texas A&M (2014-16).
In fact, counting all of the divisions together, only nine athletes have accomplished that feat in NCAA history: Brian Moorman of Pittsburg State (1997-99), Lana Jekabsone of Lewis (2000-2002) and Tia-Adana Belle of Saint Augustine’s (2015-17) did so in NCAA Division II; Derek Toshner of UW-La Crosse (2002-04) and Luke Campbell of Salisbury (2014-16) hold it down for NCAA Division III.
Mann, though, made his star 50 years ago.
It was at the 1970 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, where Mann thundered through wet conditions to shatter the world record in the 440H with his time of 48.8. Both Mann and runner-up Wayne Collett of UCLA dipped under the previous world record of 49.3 established by South Africa’s Gert Potgieter some 10 years earlier (Collett ran 49.2).
“That’s a fabulous track,” Mann said after the race. “I don’t know what I might have run if it hadn’t rained.”
Collett, who was reportedly undefeated against Mann dating back to their prep days in Southern California, jumped out to an early lead, but Mann reeled him in down the homestretch.
Mann continued to leave his mark on both the collegiate and international scene over the next few years as he completed the trifecta in 1971 and won the silver medal in the 400H at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.
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).