Smith Jumped Her Way Into Elite Company
Was Trecia-Kaye Smith of Pittsburgh a triple jumper who could long jump or a long jumper who could triple jump?
Smith has unmatched superlatives in both events – the most women’s combined indoor/outdoor NCAA long jump titles with five, and the longest-lasting outdoor triple jump collegiate record at 14 years.
Though Smith – whose first name is pronounced “TREE-see-uh-kay” – had just one triple jump title at the NCAA Outdoor meet, that victory in 1998 was perhaps the most satisfying of any of her seven combined NCAA titles (a women’s horizontal jump total surpassed only by Keturah Orji of Georgia with eight).
It was at the 1998 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships where Smith staked her triple jump winning mark of 13.98m (45-10½) on her first attempt. It was Smith’s second-longest effort ever, at the time, and a stark contrast to the 1997 NCAA Outdoor meet, in which she collapsed on the runway and was carted off with a hamstring injury.
In 1997, Smith attempted a unique quad of events at the NCAA Outdoor Championships – the heptathlon and high jump, in addition to her specialties of the long and triple jumps. She sported an impressive set of seasonal bests at 5931 points in the heptathlon, 1.81m (5-11¼) in the high jump, 6.71m (22-0¾) in the long jump and 14.22m (46-8) in the triple jump – the latter an outdoor CR set just two weeks earlier, but was only able to start three.
Everything started fine for Smith on Day 1 with a long jump victory at 6.65m (21-10), but Day 3 was a challenge with the triple jump going on during the heptathlon’s first day. Smith darted over to the triple jump runway after the heptathlon high jump and was in second place in the TJ after three rounds. But there would be no fourth attempt as she collapsed with a pulled right hamstring.
Injuries, unfortunately, were common for Smith, who felt strong before her final NCAA meet in 1999, telling Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “For the past two years I have actually remained consistent instead of improving, and that’s due to injuries.”
“I’m healthy now,” Smith continued. “I’m expecting to be once more out there in front of them (her competitors). I’m not saying they’re not going to follow me or even beat me, but when I was healthy they were nowhere close.”
The 1999 NCAA meet had a similar schedule to 1997, with the triple jump again conflicting with the heptathlon’s first day. Smith won the long jump with a seasonal best 6.61m (21-8¼), finished a close second in the triple jump to Baylor’s Stacey Bowers and was in second place in the heptathlon going into the final event – alas, the 800 was not one of Smith’s strongest and she finished 10th.
As a post-collegian, Smith found her most success in the triple jump, in which in 2005 she became the first Jamaican woman to win any World Championships field event title.
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.
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
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.
Comenentia Completed Historic Double In 2018
Denzel Comenentia became only the third man in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to complete the HT-SP double back in 2018.
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.
Saunders Won Back-To-Back SP Titles, Set CR
Raven Saunders won back-to-back SP titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2015 & 2016. Saunders set a CR & MR of 19.33m (63-5) in that second year.
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.
Hook ‘Em, Leo: Manzano Made 1500 History
Leo Manzano was the first male freshman in the history of the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships to win the 1500/mile in 2005. Manzano added a 2nd title to his haul in 2008.
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.
Rupp Capped Sensational Senior Year In 2009
Galen Rupp completed an unprecedented year at the 2009 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships when he swept the 5K & 10K.
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).