Walt Murphy’s News and Results Service (wmurphy25@aol.com)
This Day in Track & Field–June 26
1909–John Flanagan broke his own (pre-IAAF) World Record in the Hammer Throw twice in New York with throws of 179-11 (54.84) and 180-0 (54.86). He improved the record a month later to 184-4 (56.18).
1937—Archie Harris, a recent graduate of Ocean City (NJ) H.S., threw the Discus 175-8 (53.54) in Passaic, New Jersey, but the mark was never recognized as an American or World Record.
Dave Johnson offers some background on Harris’s “non-record”.
“On June 5 at Montclair, NJ, in the NJ State Group 2 meet, Harris threw 151-5 7/8 (46.175). On June 26, he went to the New Jersey AAU meet in Passaic, and it was in this meet that he threw 175-8 (53.54), which was farther than the existing WR of 53.10
(174-2 1/2) by Willy Schröder of Germany (’35).
But the problem with the Harris mark was that he was throwing in exhibition as a guest. He was not registered in the AAU District whose championships these were. As a resident of South Jersey, he was registered through the Middle Atlantic Association, whose meets were usually held in Philadelphia or Reading. As for the mark itself, there was nothing wrong with it from a statistical standpoint.
The following week, Harris threw in the AAU Jr meet in Milwaukee on July 2. He finished 3rd in the Shot (46-11 [14.30]), but was not among the first four in the Discus (4th was 144-8.9 [44.12?]).
The following is from the New York Times story of the June 26 meet: “A world record achievement that cannot be registered was turned in by Archie Harris of Ocean City. Registered with the Middle Atlantic Association instead of the New Jersey Association of the A.A. U., Harris was prepared to take part in the Discus Throw. Informed that his registration with Middle Atlantic prevented him from appearing as a competitor, he asked for permission to throw a few practice heaves.
“This permission was granted, and he proceeded to amaze officials and contestants alike with the length of his throws. The tape was put on his last toss and revealed 175 feet 8 inches. The World Record for the event is 174 feet 2 1/2 inches, made by Willy Schröder of Germany in 1935.”
This sounds today like over-zealous officiating perhaps, but the meet involved a team championship, which was won by the Newark AC (81), with Shore AC second (58 1/2). Other major performances from the meet included Dick Ganslen, who won the Pole Vault at 13-6 ¾ (4.135) and the hop-step-jump at 46-8 (14.22). Glenn Cunningham ran a solo 880y, paced by two runners, with hopes of breaking the WR. Cunningham ran only 1:57.8.”
Harris would eventually get an official World Record when he won the 1941 NCAA title with a throw of 174-8 ¾ (53.26)
1966—The U.S. Championships (June 25-26) returned to NY’s Randall’s Island after a 5-year hiatus, with 20 past and future Olympic medalists (including 11 who won gold-*), competing.
Highlights
100y—1.Charlie Greene 9.4, 2.Jim Hines* 9.4
440y–1.Lee Evans* 45.9
880y—1.Tom Farrell 1:47.6
Mile—1.Jim Ryun 3:58.6 (1st outdoor sub-4 in NY), 2.Dyrol Burleson 4:00.1, 3.Jim Grelle 4:00.6
3-mile(6-25)—1.George Young 13:27.4, 2.Tracy Smith 13:27.4
6-mile—1.Tracy Smith 28:02.6, 2.Billy Mills* 28:34.2
120y Hurdles(6-25)—1.Willie Davenport* 13.3
Pole Vault(6-25)—1.Bob Seagren* 17-9 (5.41), 2.Paul Wilson 16-8 ¼ (5.09), 3.John Pennel (16-8 ¼ [5.09]
Long Jump(6-25)—1.Ralph Boston* 26-3 (8.00), 2.Charlie Mays 26-3 (8.00)…4.Bob Beamon* 25-3 ½ (7.71)
Triple Jump—1.Art Walker 53-8 (16.35+)
Shot Put—1.Randy Matson* 64-2 ¼ (19.56), 2.Neil Steinhauer 64-1/2 (19.52), 3.Parry O’Brien* 62-1 ½ (18.93+)
Discus(6-25)—1.Al Oerter* 193-9 (59.06?), 2.Rink Babka 191-2 (58.26?), 3.Randy Matson 190-9 (58.14?)
Hammer(6-25)—1.Ed Burke 220-0 (67.66?), 2.Hal Connolly* 219-0 (66.75?)
Results (top 3): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1966_USA_Outdoor_Track_and_Field_Championships
https://trackandfieldnews.com/u-s-national-championships-history/
1971—Two World Records were set at the U.S. Championships in Eugene,Oregon. On Friday (6-25), Rod Milburn won his semi-final race in the 120-Yard Hurdles in 13.0 to break the previous mark of 13.2 that was shared by 5 others (4 of whom had run 13.2 for the slightly longer 110-meters event). Milburn came back the next day to win the final in a wind-aided 13.1.
UCLA’s John Smith, the winner of the NCAA title a week earlier, won his 2nd U.S. 440y title in 44.5, taking .2s off the previous mark of 44.7 that had been set by Texas A&M’s Curtis Mills at the 1969 NCAA Championships. Smith had to come from behind in the homestretch to beat teammate Wayne Collett, who ran 44.7 to equal the old WR.
Another NCAA champion doubling back successfully was Oregon’s own Steve Prefontaine, who thrilled the Hayward Field crowd by setting a Meet Record of 12:58.6 in the 3-mile (6-25). Basking in the adoration of his fans, Pre said, “Beautiful, just beautiful. These are my people. Just fantastic. How can you lose with 12,000 people behind you?”
A little more than a year after he first made an impact in the sport, Dr.Delano Meriwether, wearing his familiar uniform of a hospital scrub top, gold swim trunks, and suspenders, won the 100-yard dash in a wind-aided 9.0 over a world-class field that included Jim Green (9.0), Donald Quarrie (9.1), Charlie Greene(9.1), and Ivory Crockett(9.2). (From T&F News)
Sidenote: This was my first trip to Eugene, capping a 2-meet adventure out West that included the previous week’s NCAA Championships in Seattle.
Results
Top 3: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971_USA_Outdoor_Track_and_Field_Championships
https://trackandfieldnews.com/u-s-national-championships-history/
1974—Steve Prefontaine set his 5th (and final) American Record at 5000-meters in Helsinki, running an auto-timed 13:21.87 (originally reported as 13:22.2).
ARs
13:30.4 July 3 1971 Berkeley
13:29.6 April 29 1972 Eugene
13:22.8 July 9 1972 Eugene
13:22.4 June 27 1973 Helsinki
13:21.87 June 26 1974 Helsinki
1976—Bruce Jenner scored 8538 points in the Decathlon at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene,Oregon (June 19-27), breaking his own year-old World Record of 8524 that was also set at Hayward Field. Jenner actually scored 8542 points, but his best effort in the Long Jump was aided by a tail-wind that was more than 4-meters per second, the legal limit for a Decathlon Record. Jenner would set a 3rd World Record of 8618 while winning the gold medal at the Montreal Olympics. Joining Jenner on the team were Fred Dixon (8294) and Fred Samara (8004)
Making the team in the Men’s Triple Jump were James Butts (56-8 3/4w [17.29]), Tommy Haynes (55-10w [17.02]), and Rayfield Dupree 55-9 3/4w [17.01]). Butts would win the silver medal in Montreal. Finishing 4th was 20-year old Willie Banks (55-4 1/2w [16.88]), who had beaten Dupree at the U.S. Championships, Banks went on to become a World Record holder in the event and a 2-time Olympian, finishing 6th in 1984 and 1988.
Results/Notes: https://trackandfieldnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/1976.pdf
Jenner’s Marks:
10.93, 23-8(7.21w), 46-3/4(14.04), 6-6 3/4(2.00), 48.72, 14.57, 169-7(51.69), 4.60(15-1), 227-3(69.26), 4:16.60
1981–Tom Byers, who had a dazzling freshman year at Ohio State in 1974, faded over the next few years, but was enjoying a resurgence after he moved to Eugene to train with Bill Dellinger. Since he was a notorious front-runner, meet directors loved to have him in their races to serve as a “de facto” rabbit.
At this year’s Bislett Games in Oslo, Byers ran through the first lap of the 1500-meters in 57.6, opening a gap of 10-15 meters on a world-class field. His lead grew to 30-meters as he went through 800-meters in 1:54.9, and then to 60-meters after he split 2:53.0 at 1200-meters.
It turned out that Steve Ovett, Steve Scott, Steve Cram, and the rest of the field were given Byers’ splits as their own, so they thought he was going out at an insane pace and would come back to them. By the time they realized what was happening, it was too late, Byers winning in 3:39.01, while Ovett’s strong finish brought him in a close 2nd in 3:39.53. Ovett crossed the finish line with a smile on his face in recognition of what had just taken place!
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7TQUuB53Wg
https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/27/sports/byers-beats-ovett-in-1500.html
1982—Three American Records were set at the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway.
Running by herself after the opening ½-mile, Mary Decker won the Women’s Mile in 4:21.46 to better her previous record of 4:21.68.
Steve Scott won the Men’s Mile in 3:48.53 to break his own year-old mark of 3:49.68. Scott beat a loaded field that included Sydney Maree (3:48.85), Great Britain’s Dave Moorcroft (3:49.34), New Zealand’s John Walker (3:49.50), Ireland’s Ray Flynn (3:50.54), John Gregorek (3:51.84), Craig Masback (3:54.62), and Matt Centrowitz (3:54.94).
Alberto Salazar finished 2nd in the 10,000-meters with a time of 27:25.61 to break Craig Virgin’s previous AR of 27:29.16. Portugal’s Carlos Lopes won the race with a European Record of 27:24.39. Those were the 2nd and 3rd fastest times in history at the time.
https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/27/sports/scott-s-3-48.53-in-mile-is-3rd-fastest.html
https://vault.si.com/vault/1982/07/05/they-showed-the-way-in-norway
1982—Two additional American Records were set on this day at the U.S.-West Germany-Africa tri-meet in Durham, North Carolina.
Colleen Sommer cleared 6-6 (1.98) in the High Jump to break Pam Spencer’s mark of 6-5 ½ (1.97), and Dave Volz vaulted 18-9 ½ (5.73) to top Billy Olson’s 6-day record of 18-9 ¼ (5.72).
1992—The final of the Men’s 400-Meters finally took place at the U.S. Olympic Trials in New Orleans after being delayed by legal rulings related to the Butch Reynolds situation (see June 23).
Danny Everett (43.81) was the winner, followed by Steve Lewis (44.08) and Quincy Watts(44.22), with Reynolds finishing 5th (44.65), perhaps paying the price for running too fast in the previous 2 rounds. Watts and Lewis would win gold and silver, respectively, at the Barcelona Olympics.
Others making the team:
Men’s Steeplechase-1.Brian Diemer 8:16.56, 2.Mark Croghan 8:16.87, 3.,Danny Lopez 8:16.88. Tom Nohilly lost out in the
photo-finish for 2nd and 3rd (8:16.92). He would finish 4th again at the 1996 Trials.
Men’s 5000-1.John Trautmann 13:40.30, 2.Bob Kennedy 13:41.22, 3.John Gregorek 13:42.20…4.Steve Plasencia
13:42.40
Women’s 10,000-1.Lynn Jennings 32:55.96, 2.Judi St.Hilaire 33:03.39, 3.Gwyn Coogan 33:04.64….Jennings would win
the bronze medal in Barcelona
Results/Notes: https://trackandfieldnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1992.pdf
Sports Illustrated(No Pain, No Spain)
NY Times(for subscribers): https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1992/06/27/671492.html?pageNumber=31
2005—19-year old Florida sophomore Kerron Clement, who had won his 2nd NCAA title two weeks earlier, won the 400-meter hurdles at the U.S. Championships (24-26) in Carson,CA in 47.24. Coupled with his World Indoor Record of 44.57 for 400-meters (set in March), there was speculation that he was destined to break Kevin Young’s World Record of 46.78.
However, 47.24 remained his personal best throughout a (likely) Hall-of-Fame career that included two World titles (2007, 2009) and an Olympic gold medal in Rio in 2016 at the age of 30.
Erin Gilreath won the Women’s Hammer Throw (6-25) with a toss of 242-4 (73.87 [6-25]), breaking her own American Record of 236-7 (72.12/2004).
Other winners included Justin Gatlin in the 100 (10.08/6-25) and 200(20.04), Jeremy Wariner in the 400 (44.20), Alan Webb in the 1500 (3:41.96/6-25), Allyson Felix in the 200 (22.13), Sanya Richards in the 400 (49.28), Shalane Flanagan in the 5000 (15:10.96/6-23), Amy Acuff in the High Jump (6-2 ¾ [1.90]/6-23), and Stacy Dragila in the Pole Vault(14-7 ¼ [4.45]/6-25).
Results: https://www.flashresults.com/2005_Meets/outdoor/usa/index.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_USA_Outdoor_Track_and_Field_Championships
2010— Chaunté Lowe set the current American Record of 6-8 ¾ (2.05) in the Women’s High Jump at the U.S. Championships (23-27) in Des Moines, Iowa. It was the 4th of her eventual 8 titles in the event. Overcome with emotion after clearing the bar cleanly, a sobbing Lowe stayed on the pit for more than 30 seconds before embarking on a well-deserved victory lap. Lowe had jumped 6-8 ¼ (2.04) a month earlier to set her first American Record, breaking the previous standard of 6-8 (2.03) that was set by Louise Ritter in 1988 (twice).
Hyleas Fountain won the Heptathlon with a score of 6735 points, making her the 3rd best American performer in the event.
Results: https://flashresults.com/2010_Meets/outdoor/USA/
Video: https://www.flotrack.org/video/5222327-chaunte-lowe-high-jump-american-record-205
Wiki Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaunté_Lowe
2011—Oregon Junior Matthew Centrowitz (3:47.63), showing early signs of his racing expertise, followed up his recent NCAA victory by winning a tactical Men’s 1500-meters at the U.S. Championships in Eugene, Oregon over Bernard Lagat (3:47.96) and Leo Manzano (3:48.16). Lagat had earlier won his 5th title in the 5000-meters (13:23.06/6-24).
Jesse Williams set a Meet Record of 7-9 ¼ (2.37) while winning his 2nd straight title in the Men’s High Jump.
Ashton Eaton won the 1st of his 4 U.S. titles in the Decathlon with a personal best score of 8729 points.
Among the women, Colorado Junior Emma Coburn was another NCAA-U.S. double champion, winning the first of her 7 titles in the Steeplechase (9:44.11).
Meet Records were set by Shalane Flanagan in the 10,000 (30:59.97/6-23), Brittney Reese in the Long Jump (23-7 ¼ [7.19], and Michelle Carter in the Shot Put (65-2 [19.86]/6-23).
As noted yesterday, Allyson Felix won the 400 (50.40) to become the first woman to win U.S. titles in the 100, 200, and 400.
Results: https://usatfoutdoor.runnerspace.com/eprofile.php?event_id=49&year=2011&do=info
2016—Freshman Tia Jones (Walton,GA) set the current U.S. High School Record of 12.84 in her heat of the 100-meter hurdles (6-25) at the U.S. Junior Championships in Clovis,CA. She was beaten in the final by Senior Alexis Duncan, 13.04-13.05.
Winner of the 400-hurdles in 54.54 was Junior Sydney McLaughlin (Union Catholic,NJ), who would go on to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team the following month. 2nd in 55.89 was senior Anna Cockrell (Providence Day,NC), who won the gold medal at the World Juniors in Poland in July.
https://www.milesplit.com/meets/237038/coverage#.XvOF-i2ZMhs
2021—Making the U.S. team at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon (with their eventual Olympic medals) (with the temperature hitting a high of 103!)
Men’s 20k Walk: Nick Christie (1:30:47.6)
Women’s 20k Walk: Robyn Stevens (1:35:12.2)
Women’s 10k(41 starters!): Emily Sisson (31:03.82), Karissa Schweizer (31:16.52), Alicia Monson (31:18.52)
Full Race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_cCw4NnCeU
Sisson-Post Race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuEqF0rxNpY
Women’s Hammer: DeAnna Price (263-6 [80.31] American Record), Brooke Andersen (255-0 [77.72]), Gwendolyn Berry (241-2
[73.0])…4.Janee’ Kassanavoid (240-11 [73.45])
Women’s Javelin: Maggie Malone (208-4 [63.50]/Trials Record), Kara Winger (201-8 [61.47]), Ariana Ince (4th-188-7 [57.49])…3rd–
placer Avione Allgood-Whetstone didn’t meet the qualifying standard)
Women’s Pole Vault: Katie Nageotte-Moon (16-2 ¾ [4.95}/Trials Record/Gold), 2.Morgann Leleux (15-5 [4.70), Sandi Morris
(15-1 [4.60]/no misses)…Olivia Gruver and Jenn Suhr also cleared 15-1 but each had one miss during the competition)
Women’s Long Jump: Brittney Reese (23-4 ¾ [7.13]/Silver), Tara Davis (23-1 ¼ [7.04]), Quanesha Burks (22-10 [6.96])
Men’s 400-Meter Hurdles: Rai Bejnamin (46.83/Trials Record/Silver), Kenny Selmon (48.08), David Kendziera (48.38)
Women’s 200: Gabby Thomas (21.61/Bronze), Jenna Prandini (21.89), Anavia Battle (21.95)…4.Tamara Clark (21.98), 5.Allyson Felix
(22.11)…(doctors discovered a tumor in Thomas’s liver a month before the Trials, but determined that it was benign)
Interview (includes comments from Felix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjlKyCmeHrM
Men’s 110-Meter Hurdles: Grant Holloway (12.96/Silver), Devon Allen (13.10), Daniel Roberts (13.11)
Results: https://www.flashresults.com/2021_Meets/20Trials/index.htm
2022—The U.S. Championships in Eugene, the selection meet for the U.S. team that would return to Hayward Field for the World Championships in July, came to a close, with athletes dealing with temperatures in the low 90s!
2021 Olympic gold medalist Athing Mu, leading from the gun, held off a late charge by Ajee’ Wilson (1:57.23) to win the Women’s 800-meters in 1:57.16. Wilson drew event with Mu midway down the homestretch, and even edged ahead ever so slightly, but Mu was able to move back in front to capture her 2nd straight U.S. title.
Two veterans added another U.S. title to their already impressive totals, Emma Coburn (9:10.63) winning the Steeplechase for the 10th time and Kara Winger her 9th in the Javelin (6-25/210-10 [64.26]).
Noah Lyles edged 18-year old Erriyon Knighton to win the Men’s 200-meters (1967-1969).
https://www.flashresults.com/2022_Meets/Outdoor/06-23_USATF/
800: https://www.nbc.com/video/2022-usatf-outdoor-championships-athing-mu-edges-ajee-wilson-in-800m/oly_atw800_nationals_final
200: https://www.runnerspace.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=45365&do=videos&video_id=332965
History of the U.S. Championships: https://trackandfieldnews.com/u-s-national-championships-history/
History of the U.S. Olympic Trials: https://trackandfieldnews.com/usa-olympic-trials-history/
Past U.S. Champions: https://www.flipsnack.com/USATF/usatf-outdoor-champions/full-view.html
Born On This Day*
Deceased
Babe Didrikson-Zaharias 45 (1911—Sep.27, 1956) 1932 Olympic gold medalist—80-Meter Hurdles, Javelin (Silver—High
Jump)
Arguably the greatest female athlete of all-time, and possibly the greatest female golfer of all-time.
Former World Record holder in the 80-meter hurdles, High Jump, Javelin
Inducted into the National Hall of Fame in 1974
From Olympedia.org: “Babe played almost every sport but became famous to the American sporting public with
her feats in track & field in 1932. Her track career was brief but brilliant and her performance at the 1932 AAU
meet remains among the greatest in sporting history. In the space of 2½ hours she competed in eight events,
winning four of them outright and finishing equal first in another. As the only representative of her club,
Employers Casualty AA of Dallas, she won the national team championship with the powerful Illinois Women’s
AC, who fielded more than 20 athletes, in second place. At the end of the day the score was Didrikson – 30
points, Illinois – 22 points.”
https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/77808
1932 OG Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQJuJ3m7PAw
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/cp/obituaries/archives/babe-didrikson-zaharias
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babe_Didrikson_Zaharias
https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00014147.html
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mildred-zaharias
https://usopm.org/babe-didrikson/
