SMU’s Dean Starred In The Javelin At NCAAs
No one could know the history Windy Dean of SMU whirled up at the 1996 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene.
Even though Dean set a meet record for margin of victory in the women’s javelin, that performance also started two impressive streaks that have yet to be matched.
Dean’s 1996 victory was dominating, as any of her five legal throws would have easily secured victory. Her PR of 56.72m (186-1) produced a winning margin of 5.64m (18-6), one only bettered after the current women’s javelin implement was introduced in 2000.
Some history-making came two days later for Dean in the inaugural NCAA women’s hammer throw. Dean finished fifth, marking the first time anyone had scored in the NCAA javelin/hammer combination since well before women were part of the NCAA meet (the only other occurrence came in 1935 when Charlie Gorgloff of Pittsburgh won the men’s javelin and placed fifth in the hammer).
The next two years saw more amazement in Dean’s NCAA career.
The first of Dean’s yet-unmatched streaks came in 1997 when she repeated scoring in both the javelin and hammer. Her continued success in the hammer – finishing third in both 1997 and 1998 – made her the first woman or man to score two times in the javelin/hammer combo, let alone three.
The second of Dean’s streaks came in her specialty, the javelin. Dean again won convincingly in both 1997 and 1998, giving her the NCAA meet’s first – and still only – run of three consecutive titles in the women’s event. Only two men’s javelin throwers have such an accomplishment – Bud Held of Stanford (1948-50) and Patrik Boden of Texas (1989-91).
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).