Sua’s Sweep Cements Unprecedented Legacy
Seilala Sua of UCLA became the most decorated individual female champion in the history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships 20 years ago, a distinction she still holds with six titles which also makes her the meet’s winningest thrower of any gender.
Known to her teammates as “Sly”, the native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, joined a powerful Bruin throwing group and did what no freshman – man or woman – had ever done by winning the discus crown in 1997. She followed with meet records as a sophomore (64.22m/210-8) and junior (64.26m/210-10) that remain as the meet’s two longest ever by more than one foot.
Armed as the meet’s first three-time women’s winner in the discus as well as defending champion in the shot, Sua embarked on history in 2000. She knew the significance.
“I was very nervous on my first throw because it’s harder coming in as the favorite,” Sua would later tell the media about the discus. “I don’t think it was pressure to win. It was pressure to get a good throw.”
It took Sua a little longer than usual to settle in, but once she did, her fourth consecutive coronation in the discus was complete. She took control of the leaderboard with her second mark of 60.22m (197-7) and later hit a meet-best 61.20m (200-9) to win by more than 13 feet.
With the discus title in hand, Sua could relax and focus on the shot. That’s where she heaved the orb 17.36m (56-11½) on the very first attempt of the event and put the competition to bed early.
To this day, Sua remains the only woman to earn this meet’s “double-double” as a thrower – back-to-back titles in a pair of events.
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.
Spearmon Sprinted Past Stacked 200 Field
Wallace Spearmon Jr. won back-to-back 200m titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2004 & 2005. He ran 19.91 (-0.7 m/s) in 2005 to beat a loaded field by 0.17 seconds.
Collegiate Record For BYU’s Andersen
Kassi Andersen set a collegiate record in the steeplechase of 9:44.95 at the 2003 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, capping a three-year streak in which BYU athletes won the event.
Hook ‘Em, Ivan: Wagner Tied Best HJ Margin
Ivan Wagner won the high jump at the 1997 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships by more than four inches to tie the largest margin of victory in meet history.
Mason’s Muzzio Starred In Decathlon
Rob Muzzio won back-to-back decathlon titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1984 & 1985. His victory in 1985 was by 3 points, the smallest margin in meet history.
Roesler Dusted The Competition In 2014
Laura Roesler won the 800 at the 2014 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships with a negative split (61.06/60.16) & the 2nd largest margin of victory in meet history (1.70 seconds).
Fuchs Went Back-To-Back In Shot Put
Jim Fuchs won back-to-back shot put titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1949 & 1950. He set a meet record in that first year, heaving the orb 17.10m (56-1½).
Lash Led Indiana Dominance In NCAA’s First 5K
Don Lash led a 1-2-4 finish by Indiana in the 5K at the 1936 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. It was the first time in meet history that one team had three top-4 finishers in that event.
Surprise! Brown’s Win Sent Texas A&M To Title
Kamaria Brown beat Jenna Prandini by 0.007 seconds for the 200-meter title at the 2014 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. It was the smallest margin of victory in meet history.
Coleman Cruised To The Bowerman In 2017
Christian Coleman dazzled at the 2017 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships and set a collegiate record in the 100!
Blanford Blitzed 100H Record Book
Rhonda Blanford set an all-conditions meet record in the 100 Hurdles of 12.70 at the 1985 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. She also won the race by 0.30 seconds!