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.
Spearmon Sprinted Past Stacked 200 Field
Wallace Spearmon Jr. won back-to-back 200m titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2004 & 2005. He ran 19.91 (-0.7 m/s) in 2005 to beat a loaded field by 0.17 seconds.
Collegiate Record For BYU’s Andersen
Kassi Andersen set a collegiate record in the steeplechase of 9:44.95 at the 2003 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, capping a three-year streak in which BYU athletes won the event.
Hook ‘Em, Ivan: Wagner Tied Best HJ Margin
Ivan Wagner won the high jump at the 1997 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships by more than four inches to tie the largest margin of victory in meet history.
Mason’s Muzzio Starred In Decathlon
Rob Muzzio won back-to-back decathlon titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1984 & 1985. His victory in 1985 was by 3 points, the smallest margin in meet history.
Roesler Dusted The Competition In 2014
Laura Roesler won the 800 at the 2014 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships with a negative split (61.06/60.16) & the 2nd largest margin of victory in meet history (1.70 seconds).
Fuchs Went Back-To-Back In Shot Put
Jim Fuchs won back-to-back shot put titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1949 & 1950. He set a meet record in that first year, heaving the orb 17.10m (56-1½).
Lash Led Indiana Dominance In NCAA’s First 5K
Don Lash led a 1-2-4 finish by Indiana in the 5K at the 1936 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. It was the first time in meet history that one team had three top-4 finishers in that event.
Surprise! Brown’s Win Sent Texas A&M To Title
Kamaria Brown beat Jenna Prandini by 0.007 seconds for the 200-meter title at the 2014 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. It was the smallest margin of victory in meet history.
Coleman Cruised To The Bowerman In 2017
Christian Coleman dazzled at the 2017 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships and set a collegiate record in the 100!
Blanford Blitzed 100H Record Book
Rhonda Blanford set an all-conditions meet record in the 100 Hurdles of 12.70 at the 1985 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. She also won the race by 0.30 seconds!