“Invincible” Randy Matson Dominates The Throws

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

“Invincible” Randy Matson Dominates The Throws

Randy Matson of Texas A&M was once described as “invincible.”

That was when he was a sophomore and had just broken the world record in the shot put by almost three feet with the largest improvement the event has seen before or since. The performance was 70-7¼ (21.52m), the first effort over 70 feet (21.34m). Matson had bettered the record twice before, but neither was ratified due to technicalities.

He would end up never losing to a collegian in the shot put. Though injury forced him to miss the 1965 NCAA championships (after his huge WR), he swept the ‘66 and ’67 shot and discus titles to become the first athlete (and still only man) with two such NCAA doubles.

Matson was so beloved in College Station that Texas A&M named his final home meet in 1967 “Randy Matson Day.” He made it special for the 4,000+ fans by improving his own world record a final time, 71-5½ (21.78m), a mark that would last until 1973.

“I’ve been trying to get 71 feet for about a month,” Matson told Bob Jones of the Bryan Daily Eagle. “I was pretty nervous, more nervous than I’ve been this season.”

The native of Pampa, Texas, was drafted by both pro football teams and pro basketball teams after graduating in 1967, but stayed with the shot put, winning Olympic gold in 1968 – an improvement from his silver in 1964, when freshmen weren’t allowed to compete for varsity.

posted: July 13, 2020
1921-2021
The NCAA's First Championships

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.

Memorable Moments
Mikkola Set Javelin MR With Huge Win

Esko Mikkola was a two-time JT winner at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Mikkola won in 1998, he set a MR of 81.86m (268‑7) and won by 17 feet!

Little Made Big 400H History
June 11, 2016

Shamier Little won three consecutive 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 2014 & 2016. Little became the No. 2 performer in collegiate history with her 53.51 winner in 2016.

Ellerbe Won After Film Review In 1939

Mozelle Ellerbe won back-to-back 100-yard dash titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1938 & 1939. His victory in the 2nd year was confirmed by a film review.

McCullouch Ran Legendary Times At NCAAs

Earl McCullouch of Southern California won back-to-back 120H titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was a member of a WR-setting quarter-mile relay team.

Walton Started It All In The 800

Delisa Walton won the first women’s 800 at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1982. Walton is the mother of Ebonie Floyd, who finished 2nd in the 2007 100.

Gipson, Ugen Made Long Jump History

Whitney Gipson & Lorraine Ugen were the first teammates to win women’s long jump titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in consecutive years (Gipson in 2012; Ugen in 2013).