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.
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!