Herbst Handled Distance Double With Ease

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Herbst Handled Distance Double With Ease

When Stephanie Herbst of Wisconsin won the 10,000 meters at the 1986 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, she then had a career record in any event that anyone would envy.

Herbst’s tally in the 10K at that point showed four wins in four races – all with PRs. The last one was a collegiate record 32:32.75 for her first NCAA title.

As that 1986 NCAA 10K came near the end, Herbst followed the advice of her coach – USTFCCCA Hall of Famer Peter Tegen – and waited until just before three laps to take off. Herbst then threw down a move that no one could match and continued to a victory by 18.96 seconds, then the event’s largest.

“Coach gave me the go-ahead, but it was one lap earlier than it should have been,” Herbst revealed to Ruth Laney for Track & Field News, noting confusion in lap counting that mattered little in the final result.

“They were off on the laps,” Herbst continued. “When I found out I was scared to death. I just said to myself that I had to keep on going. It didn’t make a difference physically, but it kinda did psychologically.”

Herbst completed the second distance double in meet history later that weekend, capturing the 5K crown in 15:42.36. That was a 1.91-second victory for the Badger standout.

posted: December 3, 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
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
June 11, 2016

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.

Ellerbe Won After Film Review In 1939

Mozelle Ellerbe won back-to-back 100-yard dash titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1938 & 1939. His victory in the 2nd year was confirmed by a film review.

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.

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.

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).