Nehemiah Cruises To All-Time World Best In 1979
Renaldo Nehemiah of Maryland was already the world record holder when he won his only NCAA title in the 110 Meter Hurdles at the 1979 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships by a record margin of 0.64 seconds in a wind-aided 12.91, merely the fastest mark ever recorded under any conditions in world history.
Nehemiah was the clear favorite – having twice broken the world record earlier in the spring, lowering it to an eventual 13.00 – but the winning margin wasn’t supposed to be as large as what occurred. That’s because the race was a rematch of the thrilling NCAA 110H final from the previous year, where UCLA’s Greg Foster set a then-American record of 13.22 to edge a freshman Nehemiah, who clocked a world U20 record of 13.27.
In 1979, though a stiff, aiding wind (+3.5 m/s) gave the hurdlers issues as it pushed them close to the barriers. Nehemiah led by inches when disaster struck Foster, who crashed the sixth crossbar hard enough to break it. Foster eventually had to stop as Nehemiah cruised to an unexpectedly easy win in 12.91 (Ohio State’s Dan Oliver finished second in 13.55).
“I was not aggressive over the last three hurdles because of the wind,” said Nehemiah, a native of Scotch Plains, New Jersey. “I was afraid of it making me fall. It can throw you off and cause you to lose it.”
As Jim Dunaway of Track & Field News reported, the wind affected both stars. “I felt good over the first five hurdles,” Foster said. “Coming off 5, the wind pushed me a little and I got too close.”
P.S. – Renaldo Nehemiah’s 110H collegiate record of 13.00 lasted 40 years until Florida’s Grant Holloway broke it last year with a blistering 12.98 at the 2019 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field 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.
Bagyula Boasted Incredible Pole Vault Prowess
Istvan Bagyula won three consecutive pole vault titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 1990 & 1992. He was the first to clear 19 feet (5.80m) in 1991.
Rotich Went Back-To-Back-To-Back In Steeple
Anthony Rotich won three consecutive steeplechase titles, doing so from 2013 to 2015. His 8:21.19 from 2013 is the ninth fastest mark in meet history.
Lawrence Twins Doubled Down On Outdoor Crowns
Twins Shadae & Shardia Lawrence both won titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships: Shardae in the discus (2017); Shardia in the triple jump (2019).
Sink Steepled Into The Record Book
Sid Sink won back-to-back titles in the steeplechase at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1970 & 1971. He set meet records in each of those years.
Georgia Tech’s Taylor Triumphed In 1998
Angelo Taylor won the 400 Hurdles and doubled back to anchor the winning 4×400 relay team at the 1998 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Tennessee’s Skinner Set Javelin MR In 1970
Bill Skinner set a meet record in the javelin of 82.49m (270-8) at the 1970 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships.
Turner Left No Doubt In 800 Meters
Inez Turner won the 800 meters at the 1995 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships by 2.24 seconds for what is still the largest margin of victory in meet history.
Cheruiyot Won By Slim Margin In 1989
Kip Cheruiyot beat teammate Peter Rono by 0.03 seconds in the 1500 at the 1989 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. It was the closest margin of victory since the NCAA adopted FAT.
Emordi Led Texas Southern 1-2 LJ Finish In 1987
Paul Emordi led the only 1-2 finish by teammates in the men’s long jump at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1987. Emordi won with a leap of 8.25m (27-0¾).
Anchor Down: Tolbert Set 400H CR In 1997
Ryan Tolbert set a collegiate record in the 400 Hurdles of 54.54 at the 1997 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. Tolbert also finished third in the open 400!