Hume Brothers Had Officials Seeing Double
Robert Hume and Ross Hume of Michigan tied for the mile title at the 1944 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Marquette Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
It was the first time in NCAA meet history that a running event ended in a tie, but it was nothing new for these brothers, who gained the nickname the “Dead Heat Twins” during the year for their signature finish of crossing the line hand-in-hand in first place.
In fact, this was the ninth time that the Humes tied for victories in a mile race in 1944, including the Big Ten indoor and outdoor championships. Only once that year were they unsuccessful, failing to tie in a dual meet when an official determined one was a few inches ahead of the other.
Their unique finish provided most of the NCAA race’s drama, as the two finished some 100 yards ahead of the field, which had just four runners (The meet saw reduced entries due to World War II travel restrictions). The Humes’ time of 4:16.6 was short of the 4:14.6 they’d run earlier as the year’s fastest by collegians (in another tie).
The Dead Heat Twins weren’t done.
In 1945, the brothers Hume again tied in the Big Ten indoor and outdoor mile and tried to replicate their NCAA tie – again held in Milwaukee – but officials were able to find Ross just ahead of Robert as they finished 1-2. Ross came back to add another win in the 880, an event Robert took second in at the 1944 meet (In 1945, Robert doubled back in the 2-mile, finishing fifth).
Together, the Humes scored 30 of the Wolverines’ 53 2/5 points, good enough for third place in the team battle. The duo by themselves would have finished fifth in team scoring.
The only other running-event ties in NCAA DI outdoor meet history came coincidentally in the same meet – 1964, in both the 400 and 5000 meters.
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.
Carr Displayed His World Record Speed
Henry Carr set a meet record in the 220 yards of 20.5 at the 1963 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Joaquim Cruz’d To Meet Record, 800-1500 Double
Joaquim Cruz won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. In 1983, he set a meet record in the 800 of 1:44.91 & completed the 800-1500 double in 1984.
Back-To-Back 200-Meter Crowns For Annelus
Anglerne “Angie” Annelus won back-to-back 200m titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2018 & 2019. Her 22.16 winner from 2019 is the 4th fastest mark in collegiate history.
Indoors? Outdoors? Johnson Starred In The PV
Jan Johnson won the pole vault title at the 1970 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships and tied the meet record of 17-7.
Beard Capped Sensational Year At NCAAs
Jessica Beard won the 400 & then split the fastest 4×400 leg ever recorded at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to lead Texas A&M to a relay crown.
Biles Brothers Boast Historic Winning Feat
Martin Biles & Robert Biles were the first siblings to win the same event at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Marty won the javelin in 1940 & 1941, while Robert did so in 1942.
Branta Set NCAA MRs In 1500, 3000
Cathy Branta set meet records in back-to-back years at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships: 8:59.57 in the 3000 (1984); 4:12.64 in the 1500 (1985) as part of a 1500-3K double.
Brophy Led “Deca Central” With MR In 1992
Brian Brophy led a 1-2 finish by Tennessee athletes in the decathlon at the 1992 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. He won with a meet record of 8276 points.
UCLA’s Brenner Won Amazing SP Duel In 1984
John Brenner completed the discus-shot put double at the 1984 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships and won the shot put after an incredible duel against Michael Carter.
Ellerbe, Misipeka Dominated The Hammer
Dawn Ellerbe and Lisa Misipeka went 1-2 in each of the first two years that the women’s hammer was contested at the NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.