Rice’s Cavanaugh Ruled The NCAA Shot
Regina Cavanaugh of Rice was almost apologetic when she won the shot put title at the 1987 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
No apologies were necessary as Cavanaugh’s winning ways made history as the first woman in meet history with three victories in any event.
Cavanaugh made her final collegiate competition her most dominant win of all, besting her nearest competitor by 2 feet (0.71m) when five of her six puts would have won.
Still, the pre-med honors graduate – and first female Owl to win an NCAA title in any sport – found room for improvement.
Cavanaugh told Track & Field News she was “a little disappointed. I feel like I should have set a PR or something by winning.”
Even so, her winning mark of 17.34m (56-10¾) gave her collectively the three longest efforts in meet history, topped by a 17.54m (57-6½) heave from a year earlier.
The victory gave Cavanaugh additional history with her career sixth NCAA title in the shot combining indoor and outdoor – a total that has yet to be equaled by any woman in the event in any division.
Cavanaugh’s immense skills led her away from the sport. An eventual Rhodes Scholar candidate, she now uses multiple medical degrees at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood, Texas, near to her hometown of Killeen.
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.
Ryun Raced To Only NCAA Outdoor Title In 1967
Jim Ryun won his only outdoor national title at the 1967 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships with his victory in the mile!
Pihl Led BYU’s Decathlon Dominance In 1975
Raimo Pihl set a meet record in the decathlon at the 1975 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships and led a dominant BYU performance.
Groenendaal Flew To Back-to-Back NCAA MRs
Claudette Groenendaal set meet records in back-to-back years in different events at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships!
Kerron Clement Had Record Speed
Kerron Clement set a world indoor record and a collegiate outdoor record at the NCAA Championships in 2005.
McWilliams Ran Into The 1500 Record Book
Tiffany McWilliams won back-to-back 1500-meter crowns at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which included a three-second victory in 2003 where she set the collegiate record of 4:06.75.
Carter’s Shot Put Prowess Was Legendary
Michael Carter, patriarch of the famed Carter family, won three shot put titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in his career!
Lendore Capped Dream Year At NCAAs
Deon Lendore won the 400, clocked a 44.10 anchor leg on the winning 4×400 relay team and guided Texas A&M to a runner-up finish in the 4×100 relay at the 2014 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Butler Starred With Three 3K Victories
Kathy Butler of Wisconsin won three consecutive 3000-meter titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships from 1995 to 1997.
Myricks Starred Across Divisions At NCAAs
Larry Myricks of Mississippi College won two long jump titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in his career.
Thomas Rose To Occasion In The High Jump
Mazel Thomas won the high jump at the 1987 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships after finishing runner-up to a teammate at the NCAA DII meet two weeks earlier.