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
Plab Reached Lofty Heights In NCAA HJ

Darrin Plab won back-to-back HJ titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1991 & 1992. Plab cleared 2.34m (7-8) in 1992 & tied the 2nd best bar in meet history.

Peoples Made History One Lap At A Time

Maurice Peoples won the 440-yard dash in 1973 & then really turned up the heat. Peoples split 43.4 on the Sun Devils’ mile relay team that finished third in the final.

KU’s Lokedi Set 10K MR In 2018

Sharon Lokedi won the 10K at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in a meet-record 32:09.20. Lokedi led five other women under the old final-site best, too.

Can Ereng Kick It? Yes, He Can!

Paul Ereng won back-to-back 800-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1988 & 1989. Ereng is still the current indoor record holder in the event.

Dwight Stones Set High Jump WR In 1976

Dwight Stones set a world record in the high jump of 2.31m (7-7) at the 1976 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Stones also raised the MR by more than 3 inches!