Hughes Soared To Three Consecutive HJ Titles
Tanya Hughes didn’t have the best mark entering the high jump field at the 1991 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
That never mattered to the Arizona freshman, who faced the same situation at the NCAA Indoor Championships earlier in the year and came out as the winner with a PR 1.88m (6-2).
The higher jumper coming in was the same both times – Tisha Waller of North Carolina – and the two were the only ones remaining as the bar was raised to 1.91m (6-3¼).
Waller, already in the lead, applied more pressure by clearing on her first attempt, while Hughes followed with a second-attempt make and a new PR.
The next height – 1.94m (6-4¼) – was not just PR territory for both, but also equal to both the meet record and the outdoor collegiate record.
Hughes cleared on her second attempt to add her name to the all-time chart and take the lead. After Waller missed three times, Hughes won the event as its first freshman in meet history.
Amazingly, Hughes’ mark only equaled the Arizona school record. Katrena Johnson set the NCAA meet mark in 1985 and that collegiate record was matched in 1990 by another Wildcat, Julieann Broughton.
Hughes cleared the records logjam in 1992, winning the Pac-10 meet at 1.97m (6-5½) that also bettered the “all-dates” collegiate outdoor best of 1.96m (6-5) set in 1985 by yet another Wildcat, Maryse Ewanje-Epee. (We’ll feature Johnson and Ewanje-Epee in a future moment involving an historical finish of Arizona high jumpers.)
Seeing Hughes top the podium was a familiar sight over the next few years as she won the NCAA title again in 1992 and 1993, becoming the meet’s first three-time winner in the event. Only one other woman in meet history won three consecutive high jump titles: Brigetta Barrett of – you guessed it – Arizona.
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.
Bagyula Boasted Incredible Pole Vault Prowess
Istvan Bagyula won three consecutive pole vault titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 1990 & 1992. He was the first to clear 19 feet (5.80m) in 1991.
Rotich Went Back-To-Back-To-Back In Steeple
Anthony Rotich won three consecutive steeplechase titles, doing so from 2013 to 2015. His 8:21.19 from 2013 is the ninth fastest mark in meet history.
Lawrence Twins Doubled Down On Outdoor Crowns
Twins Shadae & Shardia Lawrence both won titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships: Shardae in the discus (2017); Shardia in the triple jump (2019).
Sink Steepled Into The Record Book
Sid Sink won back-to-back titles in the steeplechase at the NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships in 1970 & 1971. He set meet records in each of those years.
Georgia Tech’s Taylor Triumphed In 1998
Angelo Taylor won the 400 Hurdles and doubled back to anchor the winning 4×400 relay team at the 1998 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Tennessee’s Skinner Set Javelin MR In 1970
Bill Skinner set a meet record in the javelin of 82.49m (270-8) at the 1970 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships.
Turner Left No Doubt In 800 Meters
Inez Turner won the 800 meters at the 1995 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships by 2.24 seconds for what is still the largest margin of victory in meet history.
Cheruiyot Won By Slim Margin In 1989
Kip Cheruiyot beat teammate Peter Rono by 0.03 seconds in the 1500 at the 1989 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. It was the closest margin of victory since the NCAA adopted FAT.
Emordi Led Texas Southern 1-2 LJ Finish In 1987
Paul Emordi led the only 1-2 finish by teammates in the men’s long jump at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1987. Emordi won with a leap of 8.25m (27-0¾).
Anchor Down: Tolbert Set 400H CR In 1997
Ryan Tolbert set a collegiate record in the 400 Hurdles of 54.54 at the 1997 NCAA Division I Outdoor T&F Championships. Tolbert also finished third in the open 400!