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.
Clemson’s Ross Kept Getting Faster In 1995
Duane Ross PR’d twice in the 110H at the 1995 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Ross won in 13.32, he became the No. 3 performer in collegiate history.
Illinois’ Kerr Went Back-To-Back At NCAAs
George Kerr won back-to-back 800/880 titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1959 & 1960. Kerr set a meet record of 1:46.4 in the 800 meters in 1960.
UCLA’s Baucham Bounded To TJ CR In 2005
Candice Baucham won the triple jump at the 2005 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a collegiate record of 14.07m (46-2). Baucham took the event by more than one foot.
San Romani Went From Unknown To Legend
Archie San Romani won back-to-back 1500/mile crowns at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1935 & 1936.
Auburn’s Glance Made Them Look Twice
Harvey Glance completed the 100-200 double as a freshman at the 1976 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He set a meet record of 10.16 in the 100.
Nova’s Rhines Did NCAA 5K Three-Peat
Jen Rhines was the first female athlete in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to win three consecutive 5K titles.
Georgia’s Erm Cruised To 2019 Decathlon Title
Johannes Erm won the decathlon at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 342 points with his 8352 total. That was also the fifth-best score in meet history.
McMillen Adapted, Set 1500 MR In 1952
Bob McMillen set a meet record in the 1500 meters of 3:50.7 at the 1952 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
LSU’s Duhaney Destroyed NCAA 200 Field In 1992
Dahlia Duhaney owns the largest margin of victory in meet history in the 200 with her 0.44-second winner at the 1992 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships.
Rice’s Roberts Cooked Up Pole Vault Greatness
Dave Roberts was the second man to win three consecutive pole vault titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, doing so from 1971 to 1973.