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.
Clemson’s Ross Kept Getting Faster In 1995
Duane Ross PR’d twice in the 110H at the 1995 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Ross won in 13.32, he became the No. 3 performer in collegiate history.
Illinois’ Kerr Went Back-To-Back At NCAAs
George Kerr won back-to-back 800/880 titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1959 & 1960. Kerr set a meet record of 1:46.4 in the 800 meters in 1960.
UCLA’s Baucham Bounded To TJ CR In 2005
Candice Baucham won the triple jump at the 2005 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a collegiate record of 14.07m (46-2). Baucham took the event by more than one foot.
San Romani Went From Unknown To Legend
Archie San Romani won back-to-back 1500/mile crowns at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1935 & 1936.
Auburn’s Glance Made Them Look Twice
Harvey Glance completed the 100-200 double as a freshman at the 1976 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He set a meet record of 10.16 in the 100.
Nova’s Rhines Did NCAA 5K Three-Peat
Jen Rhines was the first female athlete in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to win three consecutive 5K titles.
Georgia’s Erm Cruised To 2019 Decathlon Title
Johannes Erm won the decathlon at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 342 points with his 8352 total. That was also the fifth-best score in meet history.
McMillen Adapted, Set 1500 MR In 1952
Bob McMillen set a meet record in the 1500 meters of 3:50.7 at the 1952 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
LSU’s Duhaney Destroyed NCAA 200 Field In 1992
Dahlia Duhaney owns the largest margin of victory in meet history in the 200 with her 0.44-second winner at the 1992 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships.
Rice’s Roberts Cooked Up Pole Vault Greatness
Dave Roberts was the second man to win three consecutive pole vault titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, doing so from 1971 to 1973.