Fight On! Southern California’s Historic Day
Three collegiate records in 80 minutes.
Southern California’s men’s team orchestrated a sensational performance on the final day of the 2018 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Michael Norman started it off by winning the 400 in 43.61, breaking the one-year-old collegiate record of 43.70 set by Texas A&M’s Fred Kerley. Norman broke the collegiate indoor record a few months earlier, making him the first man in collegiate history to unify those marks.
About 25 minutes later, Rai Benjamin somehow topped his teammate, crushing the collegiate record in the 400 Hurdles with a time of 47.02. Benjamin also equaled the second fastest mark in world history, which had lasted as the world record for nine years from 1983 to 1992.
Norman and Benjamin continued their record-setting ways as they joined forces with Ricky Morgan Jr. and Zach Shinnick to smash the all-time collegiate best in the Men’s 4×400 Relay with their 2:59.00. That same quartet established a world indoor best of 3:00.77 a few months earlier in winning the NCAA title.
Morgan led things off with a 45.9 split that put them on record pace, but Benjamin blew it open with a 43.6 second leg that was the meet’s fastest second split ever. Shinnick followed with a 45.85 third leg, meaning Norman would “only” need to run a 44.20 to give the Trojans their third collegiate record of the meet and unify the 4×400 relay bests. Norman responded with a 43.62 anchor and crossed the finish line as the clock hit 2:59.00.
Six months later, USC became the third program in history to have multiple men’s finalists for The Bowerman. Norman beat out Benjamin and Florida star Grant Holloway for collegiate track & field’s highest honor.
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.
ON THIS DAY: Kerley Set 400-Meter CR In Austin
Fred Kerley set a collegiate record in the 400 on this day in 2017. Kerley went 43.70 at the NCAA DI West Preliminary Round in Austin, Texas.
Reese Left Her Mark On NCAA LJ
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).
Foster Won All-Time Classic 110H In 1978
Greg Foster won an epic 110H race at the 1978 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Foster beat Renaldo Nehemiah & set an AR, CR & MR in the process with his 13.22.
D’Agostino Won By Slim Margin In 2012
Abbey D’Agostino won back-to-back 5K titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2012 & 2013. When D’Agostino won in 2012, it was by just 0.03 seconds.
Tupuritis Shocked The Field In 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.
Arkansas’ Brown Notched All-Time 100H Mark
Janeek Brown won the 100H at the 2019 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 12.40, narrowly missing the collegiate record and meet record.
Brown Paced Tennessee To 1974 Team Title
Doug Brown won back-to-back steeplechase titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1973 & 1974. His victory in 1973 was by 17.2 seconds!
EMU’s Jones Hurdled Into NCAA History
Hayes Jones completed the 120H-220H sweep at the 1959 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships. Jones won the last 220H title ever awarded at the meet.
Ellis Sent USC To A Thrilling Victory
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.
Paige Turned Three NCAA Mid-Distance Titles
Don Paige won three career titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, including a 800-1500 sweep in 1979.