This Day in Track & Field History, April 8, 2024, Henry Rono sets 5000mWR (1978), Maurice Greene impresses at Texas Relays (1995), and Sydney McLaughlin (2017), by Walt Murphy News and Results Service

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By Walt Murphy’s News and Results Service (wmurphy25@aol.com), used with permission.

This Day in Track & Field/X-Country–April 8

1978–Pushed by Washington State teammates (and fellow Kenyans) Josh Kimeto and Samson Kimobwa (the World Record holder at 10,000 meters) in the early part of the race, sophomore Henry Rono set his first World Record, running 13:08.4 for 5,000-meters at a tri-meet against Cal and Arizona State at Edwards Field in Berkeley, California. Rono would also set World Records in the 10,000, Steeplechase, and 3000 in the next 2-1/2 months. His 5000 mark would remain the “absolute” Collegiate Record until Arizona’s Lawi Lalang ran 13:08.28 indoors in 2012, and the Outdoor CR until Northern Arizona’s Abdi Nur ran 13:06.32 in 2022.

Henry Rono, Track & Field News, photo by the bible of the sport, Track & Field News

Many of the 5,000 fans in attendance had come just to watch a good track meet, but veteran announcer Bob Steiner picked up on the early fast pace and alerted the fans to the potential for a record. “I don’t know why I did it”, said Steiner. “I’ve never called a World Record after three laps.”

In the aftermath of Rono’s great run, Cougars coach John Chaplin was bombarded with interview requests and invitations to speak at clinics. Said the ever-quotable Chaplin, who had been taking heat over his recruiting policies, “I tell them, ‘What do I know about distance running? I’m just a recruiter of foreign athletes. Call Oregon or Kansas; they’re supposed to know all about distance running’ ”.. (From Track and Field News)

Maurice Greene, photo by Getty Images for World Athletics

1995–Virtually unknown at the time, 20-year-old Maurice Greene ran a very wind-aided (+5.03) 9.88 to win the 100-meters at the Texas Relays over Jamaica’s Olympic veteran Ray Stewart (9.89), 2-time Olympic 100-champion Carl Lewis (9.94), and another young sprinter, Tim Montgomery (9.95). He would become one of the best sprinters in the world, winning Olympic gold in the 100 in 2000 and 4 individual World titles (1997-100, 1999-100,200, 2001-100).

Sydney McLaughlin and her family,
USATF Outdoor Track and Field Championships held at Hayward Field, University of Oregon, June 23-26, 2022, photo by Kevin Morris

2017—Senior Sydney McLaughlin (Union Catholic, NJ) set a National H.S. Record of 38.90 in the 300-meter hurdles at the Arcadia Inv. The previous mark of 39.98 was set in 2001 by Lashinda Demus, who became one of the world’s best 400-meter hurdlers (and former American Record holder—52.47). McLaughlin has done the same, setting World Records and winning Olympic (2021) and World (2022) titles.