Pagel Won Shot Put With Record Heave
Ramona Pagel of San Diego State was looking for revenge in the shot put final at the 1984 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Even though Pagel entered with a PR more than a foot better than the field – in fact, at 17.77m (58-3¾) she was then No. 2 collegian all-time – she knew there would be pressure from her rival, defending NCAA champ Carol Cady of Stanford.
It was just three weeks earlier that Cady handed Pagel her first collegiate shot put loss of the year as Cady came through with a last-round PR 17.34m (56-10¾) to win the WCAA conference meet. For Pagel, it was a cruel way to learn that the multiple long efforts don’t matter as much as the longest single effort – Pagel had four of the five longest throws that day.
The rematch at the NCAA Championships in June started much the same as Pagel took immediate control with a first-round 16.45m (53-11¾), then followed with two efforts better than Cady’s existing meet record of 17.07m (56-0).
Was Pagel safe enough at 17.27m (56-8)? Turns out she was, as Cady seemed to press too much and ended up with a best of 16.59 (54-5¼) – more than two feet behind Pagel, who once again finished with four of the five best throws on the day.
Cady got a measure of revenge by winning the discus the next day, where Pagel was fourth.
Later in the month Pagel and Cady would both make the 1984 U.S. Olympic team in the shot put, and as post-collegians each would eventually have a long reign as American record holder in different events – Cady in the discus at 66.10m (216-10) in 1986 that lasted 20 years, Pagel in shot at 20.18m (66-2½) that lasted almost 25 years.
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.
Bagyula Boasted Incredible Pole Vault Prowess
Istvan Bagyula won three consecutive pole vault titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 1990 & 1992. He was the first to clear 19 feet (5.80m) in 1991.
Rotich Went Back-To-Back-To-Back In Steeple
Anthony Rotich won three consecutive steeplechase titles, doing so from 2013 to 2015. His 8:21.19 from 2013 is the ninth fastest mark in meet history.
Lawrence Twins Doubled Down On Outdoor Crowns
Twins Shadae & Shardia Lawrence both won titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships: Shardae in the discus (2017); Shardia in the triple jump (2019).
Sink Steepled Into The Record Book
Sid Sink won back-to-back titles in the steeplechase at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1970 & 1971. He set meet records in each of those years.
Georgia Tech’s Taylor Triumphed In 1998
Angelo Taylor won the 400 Hurdles and doubled back to anchor the winning 4×400 relay team at the 1998 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Tennessee’s Skinner Set Javelin MR In 1970
Bill Skinner set a meet record in the javelin of 82.49m (270-8) at the 1970 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships.
Turner Left No Doubt In 800 Meters
Inez Turner won the 800 meters at the 1995 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships by 2.24 seconds for what is still the largest margin of victory in meet history.
Cheruiyot Won By Slim Margin In 1989
Kip Cheruiyot beat teammate Peter Rono by 0.03 seconds in the 1500 at the 1989 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. It was the closest margin of victory since the NCAA adopted FAT.
Emordi Led Texas Southern 1-2 LJ Finish In 1987
Paul Emordi led the only 1-2 finish by teammates in the men’s long jump at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1987. Emordi won with a leap of 8.25m (27-0¾).
Anchor Down: Tolbert Set 400H CR In 1997
Ryan Tolbert set a collegiate record in the 400 Hurdles of 54.54 at the 1997 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. Tolbert also finished third in the open 400!