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.
Hornbostel Left Mark As A Hoosier
Chuck Hornbostel of Indiana won three consecutive 800/880 titles between 1932 and 1934 and equaled the world record in the 880 yards in 1933.
BYU’s Mann Set World Record In 440 Hurdles
Ralph Mann of BYU won three consecutive NCAA titles in the 440 Hurdles and set a world record with his win in 1970.
Auburn’s Goulbourne Makes Long Jump History
Elva Goulbourne of Auburn became the first – and remains the only – woman to repeat as long jump champion at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2002 & 2003.
LoJo Breaks Barriers, Records In Pole Vault
Lawrence Johnson of Tennessee won back-to-back pole vault titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships with some of the largest margins of victory in meet history.
Smith Set Records That Will Last Forever
Karin Smith of Cal Poly won the javelin crown at both the 1982 NCAA Division I & NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships with meet records that will never be broken.
KU’s Cunningham Captures 1500/Mile Twice
Glenn Cunningham of Kansas was the first two-time winner of the 1500/mile at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Rollins Rewrites Hurdling History
Brianna Rollins capped an incredible senior season at the 2013 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships with the two fastest times in collegiate history in the 100 Hurdles.
Oregon’s Eaton Stood Alone In The Decathlon
Ashton Eaton set a meet record for both point total and scoring margin at the 2010 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Texas Tech’s Kipyego Redefined Success
Sally Kipyego of Texas Tech set a still-standing meet record of 15:15.08 in the 5000 Meters at the 2008 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
“Heavenly Twins” Reach New Heights In Pole Vault
Bill Sefton and Earle Meadows of Southern California rewrote the record book in the pole vault during an electric 1937 season.

