Villanova’s Reid Completes Historic 1500-5K Double

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Villanova’s Reid Completes Historic 1500-5K Double

June 11, 2011

Here is the full list of NCAA DI athletes who won national titles in the 1500 and 5000 at the outdoor championships in the same year.

Sheila Reid.

That’s it. That’s the list.

On this day in 2011, Villanova’s Reid became the first athlete to accomplish that feat in the history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Former Villanova legend Sydney Maree also won the 1500 and 5000 in his career, but didn’t do so at the same meet (Maree won the 5000 in 1979 and went back-to-back in the 1500 in 1980-81).

Reid began her legendary double the previous night (June 10, 2011) by winning the 5000 in 15:37.57. What made that even more remarkable was that it was just her fourth attempt at the distance – third during the outdoor season. It also happened to be a PR by 37 seconds (Reid would eventually knock her PR down to 15:23.64 the following year and is now the 19th best performer in collegiate history).

Then, exactly nine years ago, Reid found herself in the middle of the pack with 300 meters to go in the 1500. Reid, a savvy tactician, saw a glimmer of hope in the guise of an open Lane 1 and attacked, taking the inside line going into the final curve and raced to victory in 4:14.57.

“I couldn’t even think straight when I crossed the finish line,” she told the media afterwards. “I gave probably the most embarrassing celebration ever.

“I’m so ecstatic right now. It hasn’t totally sunk in yet.”

It should be mentioned that this wasn’t the first time that Reid won the 1500 and 5000 at the same meet. Nor was it the second. Reid gave fans a glimpse of what was to come at both the indoor and outdoor version of the 2011 Big EAST Championships when she completed that same sweep.

posted: June 11, 2020
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
Reese Left Her Mark On NCAA LJ
June 12, 2008

Brittney Reese won the long jump at the 2008 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a mark of 6.93m (22-9). Reese missed the meet record by just 1cm (½ inch).

Tupuritis Shocked The Field In 1996
May 31, 1996

Einars Tupuritis won the 800 at the 1996 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships by 0.14 seconds! Turpiritis crossed the finish line in 1:45.08.

Ellis Sent USC To A Thrilling Victory
June 9, 2018

Kendall Ellis had a remarkable come-from-behind victory in the 4×400 relay at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships that sent Southern California to the meet title.