Gipson, Ugen Made Long Jump History
Fans saw double – at least in the uniforms – during the women’s long jump at the 2012 and 2013 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
The Horned Frogs from TCU became the first in the event’s meet history to post back-to-back winners with two different athletes.
Amazingly, neither one entered as the favorite.
In 2012, Whitney Gipson hadn’t surpassed 22-feet since her equaling the indoor collegiate record of 6.91m (22-8) to win the NCAA DI meet in March. Tori Bowie of Southern Miss was the defending NCAA DI outdoor champ and led the entrants with a best of 6.78m (22-3).
Gipson, who had spent most of the spring in what she termed “basic training,” took the lead in Round 1 at 6.50m (21-4), then followed with a wind-aided 6.82m (22-4½) leap that gave her what turned out to be an insurmountable lead at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.
One round later, Gipson added a wind-legal jump of 6.80m (22-3¾), an outdoor PR, to provide the only 22-footers of the meet.
Lorraine Ugen had an even wilder scenario in 2013 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. She hadn’t jumped more than 21-feet all year, mostly due to an injury that caused her to use her left foot instead of her preferred right foot.
After two rounds, Ugen’s best of 5.60m (18-4½) wasn’t going to garner any additional attempts, so she took a gamble in Round 3 and used her right foot. The result was a PR 6.77m (22-2½) to take the lead with a mark that no one could match.
“This season didn’t go great due to a lot of injuries,” said an elated Ugen. “But I was able to pull one out today.”
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.
Ritchie Doubles Down In The Throws
Meg Ritchie of Arizona became the first woman in the history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships to win any two events in 1982.
Three-For-Three: Woodruff Made It Look Easy
John Woodruff of Pittsburgh won three consecutive 800/880 titles at the NCAA Track & Field Championships from 1937 to 1939.
The Tie Goes To The Runner(s)
Bill Straub of Army and Jim Murphy of Air Force TIED for the 5000-meter title at the 1964 NCAA Track & Field Championships!
Ottey’s Audacious Quadruple In 1983
Merlene Ottey of Nebraska sought to win NCAA titles in the 100, 200, 400 and 4×100 relay in 1983.
He’s Great: LSU’s Davis Soars To History
Walter Davis, who turns 41 today, scored 22¼ points at the 2002 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championship to lead LSU to the national team title.
Scott Neilson Is NCAA T&F’s Mr. Canada
Scott Neilson of Washington won four consecutive hammer throw titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships between 1976 and 1979.
A Crowning Moment For Rogers In 2017
Back in 2017, Raevyn Rogers of Oregon dazzled at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a victory in the 800 and a sizzling anchor on the winning 4×400 relay.
Robinson Brothers Make NCAA T&F History
Can you name the first set of siblings to win NCAA Track & Field titles? We’ll give you a hint: Their last name is Robinson.
UTEP’s Nyambui Goes 7-For-7 Outdoors
Suleiman Nyambui of UTEP never lost a race at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He went a perfect 7-for-7 over four years.
Oxy’s Gutowski Vaults To Record Heights
Bob Gutowski of Occidental won the pole vault at the 1957 NCAA Outdoor Championships with a clearance of 4.82m (15-9¾), a mark that surpassed the world record but was never ratified.