Texas’ Turner Soared To Triple Jump Greatness
Terri Turner of Texas was a prime part of the early progress of the women’s triple jump at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
When the NCAA instituted the event for the 1984 meet in Eugene, Oregon, Turner was a logical favorite: Turner had set two world bests while winning three Texas UIL state titles while at New Caney High School (near Houston).
Turner didn’t disappoint, winning the inaugural NCAA title by nearly 3 feet with a wind-aided mark of 13.52m (44-4¼). Earlier that season she set the collegiate record (and world best) of 13.21m (43-4¼).
At the 1985 NCAA meet on her home turf in Austin, Turner was one of three 43-foot jumpers and finished third, just ahead of Southern California’s Wendy Brown, who had improved Turner’s CR/world best to 13.58m (44-6¾) in the qualifying round.
The 1986 NCAA championships at Indianapolis showed even more improvement. No one had jumped over 44-feet outdoors coming into the meet, but four did so in qualifying, led by Florida State’s Esmeralda Garcia at 13.68m (44-10¾), a new CR/world best, and Turner’s American record of 13.66m (44-9¾).
In the final, Turner led from the start and won, matching her AR of 44-9¾. Her win was critical for the Longhorns, providing the clinching points as Texas won its first team title in meet history. Turner also ran the second leg on UT’s third-place 4 x 100-meter relay team.
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.