Florida State University Track and Field: A Legacy of Excellence
The Florida State University (FSU) Seminoles have established a storied tradition in track and field, marked by consistent national contention and numerous accolades. From humble beginnings with rudimentary facilities to becoming a powerhouse program, FSU's track and field teams have achieved significant success both on and off the track.
Early Years and Foundations
In 1947, when Florida State University became a coeducational institution, an athletic program was initiated. While golf was among the first sports, track and field was notably absent due to the lack of suitable facilities. It wasn't until the arrival of Dr. Curtiss M. to FSU that track and field began to take shape as a men's sport.
Dr. was hired as a physical education teacher and tasked with coaching the basketball team. Despite initial plans for him to lead the basketball program, he was assigned to start the new track program. Undeterred, he dedicated himself to the task, laying the foundation for what would become an excellent program.
Miller faced numerous challenges: no track, no officials, no schedule, no team, and very little funding. The university maintenance staff was assigned to construct the track on designated land near the former air base, where a band shell had been converted into dressing facilities. The track itself was basic, with wooden curbs and a clay surface that was fast but susceptible to weather conditions.
Despite the challenges, Miller secured equipment, recruited townspeople as officials, and scheduled meets. The first year's schedule included three dual meets. The team's success was immediate, winning five of the six dual meets in 1950.
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Key Figures in the Early Program
Tom Bowman
Tom Bowman made a significant impact during the program's second season in 1950. During a dual track meet between Howard College and FSU, Bowman scored more points himself than the entire Howard team. His twenty-eight points in one track meet is believed to be a FSU record.
Bowman, originally from Marianna, Florida, had a diverse athletic background, including football, basketball, and swimming. After serving in the Navy during wartime, he attended the University of Florida before transferring to FSU. At FSU, he excelled in various track and field events, including the 100-yard dash, 220-yard low hurdles, javelin throw, and high jump. He competed in ten different events and participated in the National Decathlon Trials, finishing seventh.
After graduating from FSU with a degree in Education in 1950, Bowman became a teacher and coach, achieving success at Auburndale High School with multiple state championships in track and cross country. He later excelled in masters track and field events, setting national and world records. Bowman also served as the mayor of Auburndale and earned a master's degree in Education from Rollins College.
John H. Poston
Following Bowman's departure, John H. Poston emerged as another key figure in the FSU track team. Poston, a military veteran and former paratrooper, had no prior varsity sports experience in high school. During his military service in Japan, he discovered his talent for track and field.
After enrolling at Jacksonville Junior College, Poston organized a track team before transferring to FSU in 1950. Under Miller's guidance, Poston quickly developed into a top sprinter and quarter miler. In 1951, the team continued its success, winning five of its six dual meets and the Dixie Conference championship.
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In 1952, Poston's final season at FSU, he achieved remarkable feats, including winning the 220-yard dash at the Southern Conference Indoor Games. He also anchored the mile relay team, setting FSU's first school indoor mile relay track record. Poston led the team in scoring and helped FSU achieve victories over major programs like Georgia Tech and Miami. He finished third in the 100 and fourth in the 220 at a meet in Abilene, Texas.
Poston continues to support the team and follows their accomplishments.
Conference and National Success
The Florida State Seminoles compete in the track and field building complex on the south end of Mike Long Track, the Mcintosh Track and Field Building. The men's team has won fourteen indoor conference championships and thirty-five outdoor conference championships. The program has secured two outdoor national championships.
Under the guidance of dedicated coaches, FSU has become one of the nation's most consistent national contenders. Earning a combined 20 Top 10 NCAA Championship finishes. These titles include 12 men's indoor titles, four women's outdoor titles and four women's indoor championships. Beyond team success, individual athletes have also shone on the national stage.
Bob Braman's Era
Bob Braman left a lasting impact on the program during his 21 seasons as head coach. Braman announced his retirement. During his tenure, Braman led the Seminoles to unprecedented success, including three consecutive USTFCCCA National of the Year honors (2006-08) for outdoor track and field. His teams earned a combined 20 Top 10 NCAA Championship finishes. Under Braman's leadership, FSU won the ACC triple crown in 2008-09 and 2013-14, sweeping the conference's cross country, indoor, and outdoor team titles.
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Braman's stature as one of the top distance coaches in the nation is borne out by the success of FSU's cross country program during his tenure. The program has made 15 NCAA appearances, highlighted by a runner-up finish in 2010 and a fifth-place showing in 2012.
Individual Standouts
Ngonidzashe Makusha
Ngonidzashe Makusha won the school's first Bowerman Award in 2011. Makusha's accomplishments exemplify the high level of talent nurtured at FSU.
Trey Cunningham
Trey Cunningham further solidified FSU's reputation in track and field. Unbeaten against collegiate competition, Cunningham set the ACC 60-meter hurdles record (7.38 seconds) and became the first five-time ACC champion in the event. Cunningham was one of the three finalists for the USTFCCCA Performer of the Year as he finished his final season ranked first among collegiate hurdlers. Cunningham national titles in both the 60-meter hurdles and 110-meter hurdles while producing the second- fastest times in collegiate history in both events. Cunningham was named the 2022 Bowerman Winner.
Adrian Wildschut
Adrian Wildschut's runner-up finish at the 2020 NCAA Cross Country Championships is the highest finish ever by a Seminole.
Recent Developments
Following Braman's retirement, Matt Kane was appointed as the Director of Track and Field at FSU. Kane, who had been at FSU since 2019, brought a wealth of experience to the program, including stints as an assistant coach at Oklahoma, Alabama, and FSU.
Kane's coaching has already yielded impressive results. He has been part of four Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championships at FSU. Kane has coached nine NCAA individual champions, an IAAF world champion and 42 first-team All-Americans.
Under Kane's leadership, athletes like Dajaz DeFrand and Shenese Walker have achieved remarkable success. DeFrand set a 100-meter dash school and conference record of 10.94 seconds and set the outdoor conference record in the 200 at 22.34. Walker won the women's 60m with a collegiate lead of 7.20.
Recent meets, such as the Clemson Invitational and the Jimmy Carnes Invite, have showcased the team's depth and potential. Athletes like Bieke Schipperen, Suus Altorf, and Zach Leachman have achieved personal bests and set program records.
Facilities
The Florida State Seminoles compete in the track and field building complex on the south end of Mike Long Track, the Mcintosh Track and Field Building, named after Michael A.
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