Tulloch Shook Nerves, Dominated Javelin

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Tulloch Shook Nerves, Dominated Javelin

Valerie Tulloch of Rice was the first freshman woman to win an NCAA Division I javelin title, but a case of bad nerves had her on the brink of missing the final in her 1992 debut.

Tulloch was the seasonal collegiate leader going into the meet at 55.14m (180-11), yet fouled on her first two attempts before landing in the final with a 49.84m (163-6) effort to secure three more attempts.

It wasn’t until the final round that Tulloch finally took control, heaving the spear 58.26m (191-2) for a PR by over 10 feet and the meet’s largest-yet margin of victory at 5.52m (18-2).

“I’ve never been that nervous in all my life,” Tulloch said. “Everything was so smooth on my last throw. I collected myself and put it all together.”

Tulloch’s victory that year started what remains the best four-year stretch by any javelin thrower – man or woman – with three firsts and a second, winning in 1994 and 1995 after being runner-up in 1993.

Tulloch showed uncanny brilliance and consistency in all four of her NCAA meets – her best throws in each NCAA championship represented her collegiate seasonal best each year, and all were within a 2-meter range of 56.56m (185-7) and 58.54m (192-1).

Tulloch’s final win in 1995 made her not only the first female javelin thrower with three NCAA titles but her winning effort of 192-1 also made her the meet’s first with throws of over 190-feet in multiple years.

posted: November 17, 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
Plab Reached Lofty Heights In NCAA HJ

Darrin Plab won back-to-back HJ titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1991 & 1992. Plab cleared 2.34m (7-8) in 1992 & tied the 2nd best bar in meet history.

Peoples Made History One Lap At A Time

Maurice Peoples won the 440-yard dash in 1973 & then really turned up the heat. Peoples split 43.4 on the Sun Devils’ mile relay team that finished third in the final.

KU’s Lokedi Set 10K MR In 2018

Sharon Lokedi won the 10K at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in a meet-record 32:09.20. Lokedi led five other women under the old final-site best, too.

Can Ereng Kick It? Yes, He Can!

Paul Ereng won back-to-back 800-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1988 & 1989. Ereng is still the current indoor record holder in the event.

Dwight Stones Set High Jump WR In 1976

Dwight Stones set a world record in the high jump of 2.31m (7-7) at the 1976 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Stones also raised the MR by more than 3 inches!