Little Made Big 400H History

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Little Made Big 400H History

June 11, 2016

Shamier Little left no doubt as to her place in history in 2016. 

It was five years ago at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where Little became just the second woman in meet history to win three consecutive 400-meter hurdle crowns, joining former UCLA star Janeene Vickers in that regard. 

While Little’s victory was a coronation – after all, she did win the previous two – she wanted more than the trifecta of crowns: Little fixed her eyes on the three-year-old collegiate record and meet record of 53.21, set by Kori Carter of Stanford back in 2013. 

A customary strong start put Little in prime position and her strength over the seventh and eighth hurdles turned the race into a rout. When Little cleared the tenth and final hurdle, all eyes were on the clock as the Texas A&M star powered through the final few meters. 

Little broke the tape in 53.51 to become the second-fastest performer in collegiate history behind Carter’s standard.

“I’m really excited to win my third title,” Little said. “That time just builds up my confidence even more.”

posted: May 15, 2021
1921-2021
The NCAA's First Championships

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.

Memorable Moments
O-H-I- Oh, Reynolds Was Fast!
June 6, 1987

Butch Reynolds set a meet record in the 400 of 44.13 at the 1987 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. He barely missed his own collegiate record of 44.10.

Fynes Won NCAA Titles For Two Programs

Sevatheda Fynes won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. What’s even more impressive is that she did it for two programs – Eastern Michigan & Michigan State.

El Moutawakel Had Legendary Year In 1984

Nawal El Moutawakel set a meet record in the 400 hurdles of 55.84 at the 1984 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. She also won Olympic gold that year in the event.

Florida State’s England Kicked To 1500 CR
June 15, 2008

Hannah England set a collegiate record in the 1500 of 4:06.19 at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships & led two other women under 4:08 in one of the meet’s fastest finals.