Little Made Big 400H History
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.”
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.
Thomas Gives NCAA Meet First 7-Footer
John Thomas of Boston University was the first athlete to clear 7 feet in the high jump at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Lindgren Had No Peer In NCAA
Gerry Lindgren of Washington State swept the 3-mile/5K & 6-mile/10K at the NCAA Outdoor Championships three consecutive times between 1966 and 1968.
UCLA’s Acuff Ascends To Record Heights
Amy Acuff of UCLA set a still-standing meet record in the high jump at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1995.
“Invincible” Randy Matson Dominates The Throws
Randy Matson of Texas A&M set multiple world records in the shot put and dominated that event and the discus in the collegiate scene.
Texas’ Reid Unrivaled At 400 Meters
Suziann Reid of Texas is the only athlete in NCAA history – regardless of division – with three 400-meter crowns and four 4×400 relay titles.
For The Helds, The Javelin Is A Family Affair
Bud Held of Stanford is one of only two men in NCAA DI history to win three consecutive javelin titles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
The 440-220 Double Is So Nice, McKenley Did It Twice
Herb McKenley of Illinois completed the difficult 440-220 double twice at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Davis Rolls To Collegiate Record In 1989
Pauline Davis of Alabama set a collegiate record of 50.18 in the 400 Meters at the 1989 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Dillard Hurdles To NCAA, World Glory
Harrison Dillard won the 120-yard and 220-yard hurdles in back-to-back years in 1946 and 1947.
Simpson Sprints To All-Time Mark In 1929
In 1929, George Simpson of Ohio State was so far ahead of his time that he set a world record in the 100 yards that couldn’t be ratified.