Sink Steepled Into The Record Book

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Sink Steepled Into The Record Book

Before Sid Sink of Bowling Green State could win a second steeplechase title at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, he had to contend with a conference rival.

Sink did so both times with NCAA meet records – an achievement he alone can still claim to this day in the men’s event.

In 1970, Sink avenged a Mid-American Conference loss to Jeromee Liebenberg of Western Michigan by winning the NCAA race with a meet record time of 8:40.9, with Liebenberg finishing as runner-up. Track & Field News reported that the event might have been properly called the “waterchase,” and Sink took control in the wet conditions, winning by more than four seconds.

Sink said afterwards, “I like running in the rain, though I didn’t notice it much as I was thinking too much about winning.”

There was no rain for the 1971 NCAA steeple, but Sink faced his same familiar rival and by this time Liebenberg was not only a two-time MAC champ but also the collegiate record holder at 8:32.2.

Liebenberg led most of that race, but Sink took control with a furious last lap, storming home to a new CR of 8:30.9 to win by three seconds as Oregon’s Steve Savage and Liebenberg were among three others also under the old meet record.

A week later Sink won the AAU national championships in 8:26.4, an American record.

posted: December 30, 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