Villanova’s Reid Completes Historic 1500-5K Double
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.
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.
Mikkola Set Javelin MR With Huge Win
Esko Mikkola was a two-time JT winner at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Mikkola won in 1998, he set a MR of 81.86m (268‑7) and won by 17 feet!
Little Made Big 400H History
Shamier Little won three consecutive 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 2014 & 2016. Little became the No. 2 performer in collegiate history with her 53.51 winner in 2016.
Comenentia Completed Historic Double In 2018
Denzel Comenentia became only the third man in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to complete the HT-SP double back in 2018.
Ellerbe Won After Film Review In 1939
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Saunders Won Back-To-Back SP Titles, Set CR
Raven Saunders won back-to-back SP titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2015 & 2016. Saunders set a CR & MR of 19.33m (63-5) in that second year.
McCullouch Ran Legendary Times At NCAAs
Earl McCullouch of Southern California won back-to-back 120H titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was a member of a WR-setting quarter-mile relay team.
Hook ‘Em, Leo: Manzano Made 1500 History
Leo Manzano was the first male freshman in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to win the 1500/mile in 2005. Manzano added a 2nd title to his haul in 2008.
Walton Started It All In The 800
Delisa Walton won the first women’s 800 at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1982. Walton is the mother of Ebonie Floyd, who finished 2nd in the 2007 100.
Rupp Capped Sensational Senior Year In 2009
Galen Rupp completed an unprecedented year at the 2009 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships when he swept the 5K & 10K.
Gipson, Ugen Made Long Jump History
Whitney Gipson & Lorraine Ugen were the first teammates to win women’s long jump titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in consecutive years (Gipson in 2012; Ugen in 2013).