Givens’ Quad Leads Florida State to Team Title
On this day in 1984, Randy Givens of Florida State completed a remarkable – and still, unmatched – feat, winning a quadruple set of titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore.
Givens started her run at history on Friday, June 1 as she captured her first individual national title with a wind-aided 11.06 in the 100, before splitting 51.9 on the third leg of the Seminoles’ title-winning and collegiate record-setting 4×440-yard relay (3:28.93).
After anchoring the 4×100 relay (43.72) to a second-straight crown to begin the next day, Givens closed the book on the quadruple set of titles at the championships in leading a Seminole 1-2-3 sweep of the 200 (22.87), which also clinched the national team title for FSU. That victory in the 200 also proved sweet for Givens as she placed third in each of the previous three years.
Two sprint titles and a sweep of sprint relay titles in the same outdoor NCAA Division I championship: Not only was she the first woman to accomplish the feat, no woman has yet matched the accomplishment – let alone won more than three titles at a single outdoor meet.
Teammate Marita Payne won the 400 meters in 51.05, was a member of both winning relays, and placed third as part of the FSU sweep in the 200.
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.
O-H-I- Oh, Reynolds Was Fast!
Butch Reynolds set a meet record in the 400 of 44.13 at the 1987 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. He barely missed his own collegiate record of 44.10.
Fynes Won NCAA Titles For Two Programs
Sevatheda Fynes won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. What’s even more impressive is that she did it for two programs – Eastern Michigan & Michigan State.
El Moutawakel Had Legendary Year In 1984
Nawal El Moutawakel set a meet record in the 400 hurdles of 55.84 at the 1984 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. She also won Olympic gold that year in the event.
Princeton’s Bonthron Beat WR Holder In 1934 NCAA Mile
Bill Bonthron won an epic duel in the mile at the 1934 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. Bonthron beat WR holder Glenn Cunningham, 4:08.9 MR to 4:10.6.
Georgia’s Irby Doubled Down, Set 400 MR
Lynna Irby set a meet record in the 400 of 49.80 at the 2018 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. Irby also finished third in the 200 at 22.92.
Weir Wouldn’t Be Denied In Throwing Events
Robert Weir won the hammer throw at the 1983 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships with a meet record of 74.42m (244‑2). He beat a two-time defending champ.
Pitt’s Sowell Atoned With 800 Meet Record
Arnie Sowell was a two-time champion in the 800 at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He set a collegiate record of 1:46.7 in 1956 & won by 2.5 seconds.
Florida State’s England Kicked To 1500 CR
Hannah England set a collegiate record in the 1500 of 4:06.19 at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships & led two other women under 4:08 in one of the meet’s fastest finals.
Wheeler Won An All-Time 400H Classic
Quentin Wheeler set a collegiate record in the 400 Hurdles of 48.55 at the 1976 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships.
It’s Good To Be King: Cheserek Reigned At NCAAs
Edward Cheserek won five career titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, including two 5K-10K doubles.

