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.
Herbst Handled Distance Double With Ease
Stephanie Herbst completed the 5K-10K double at the 1986 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, setting a CR of 32:32.75 in the 10K.
Gordy Played Hero, Sent LSU To Team Title
Matt Gordy tied for the pole vault title at the 1933 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and sent LSU to the team crown!
Kendell Williams Was Multi-Talented
Kendell Williams of Georgia won seven career national titles in the combined events, including three heptathlon crowns at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
SMU’s Robberts Dominated Throwing Events
Janus Robberts won four career titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships: 1999 (SP), 2001 (SP), 2002 (SP, DT).
Enyeart Set Meet Record In 800 Meters
Mark Enyeart won two career 800-meter titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1957 and 1977. He set a meet record of 1:45.16 with his victory in 1977.
O’Sullivan Went Back-To-Back In 3K
Sonia O’Sullivan won back-to-back 3K titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1990 and 1991.
Gilkes Completed Unique Triple Crown In 1974
James Gilkes completed an unprecedented Triple Crown in 1974, winning the 220-yard dash at the NCAA Division I, NCAA Division III & NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Burrell Family In Class Of Its Own
It’s going to be a fast feast at the Burrell house during Thanksgiving!
Malone Made Javelin History In 2016
Maggie Malone set the current meet record of 62.19m (204-0) in the javelin at the 2016 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships.
Whiting Dominated SP, Nearly Set Outdoor CR
Ryan Whiting won back-to-back shot put titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2009 and 2010, narrowly missing the collegiate record in the last year.