Anchor Down: Tolbert Set 400H CR In 1997
There have been a few thousand national champions crowned over the near century-long span of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships and a few dozen have set a collegiate record en route to an individual event title. But, how many of those performances led to an invitation to meet with a sitting Vice President of the United States?
Vanderbilt’s Ryan Tolbert earned that experience of a lifetime in 1997. Running the 400-meter hurdles in a collegiate record 54.54 for the NCAA title, Tolbert captured the first national crown (individual or team) in the history of Vanderbilt University.
Head coach Paul Arceneaux remarked, “Ryan was charging the whole way. Usually she just runs fast enough to win, but today she left no doubt. With three hurdles to go, you knew she was going to win. It’s a great feeling to know that she is the first Vanderbilt athlete to win an NCAA Championship.”
It was such a special occasion that Tolbert garnered the attention of then-Vice President of the United States Al Gore. He and his wife, Tipper, were going to visit the Chancellor of Vanderbilt, Joe B. Wyatt, in the next few days and asked if Tolbert could join them for dinner.
Originally from Clovis, New Mexico, Tolbert started her career as a heptathlete, but a fussy hamstring injury sidelined the all-around speciality. Her focus on the long-distance hurdles proved to be a good fit.
To wit: Tolbert also finished third in the 400 meters that year. To this date, she is only the third woman in meet history to win the 400H and earn a place in the non-hurdled one-lapper (Iowa State’s Nawal El Moutawakel was first in 1984; South Carolina’s Lashinda Demus followed in 2002).
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.
Providence’s Smith Left Field In The Dust
Kim Smith won the 5000 meters at the 2004 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships by 36.04 seconds in 15:48.86 for the largest margin of victory in meet history.
Gatlin Doubled Up In Back-To-Back Years
Justin Gatlin completed back-to-back 100-200 doubles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2001 & 2002. He went 10.08/20.11 & 10.22/20.18 in those respective years.
UTEP’s Hoglund First To Crack 70-Foot Barrier
Hans Hoglund was the first man to touch the 70-foot barrier in the SP at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. He also won by more than 4 feet with his 21.33m (70-0) heave in 1975.
LSU’s Hobbs Couldn’t Be Caught In 2018
Aleia Hobbs anchored LSU to a 4×100 relay MR of 42.25 & then doubled back to win the 100 by 0.23 seconds at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships.
Michael Johnson Had 1990 NCAAs To Remember
All eyes were on Michael Johnson of Baylor in the 4×400-meter relay at the 1990 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Riley Completed Unprecedented Double In 2012
Andrew Riley completed the only 100-110H double in NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships history in 2012. Riley won the 100 in 10.27 & then captured the 110H crown in 13.53
Leatherwood Rolled To Back-To-Back 400 Titles
Lillie Leatherwood won back-to-back 400-meter titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1986 & 1987. She set a meet record of 50.90 in that second year.
Iowa’s Jones Made Distance History
Charles “Deacon” Jones set a meet record in the 2-mile at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships with his time of 8:57.6.
Locke Doubled Up On Sprint Titles In 1926
Roland Locke entered the 1926 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships as the WR holder in the 220. He left with the meet record in that event (20.9) & also won the 100 in 9.9.
McLain Bounded To All-Conditions TJ Best
Erica McLain won the triple jump at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships by nearly two feet! McLain bounded to an all-conditions meet best at 14.60m (47-11).