Walt Murphy is one of the finest track geeks that I know. Walt does #ThisDayinTrack&FieldHistory, an excellent daily service that provides true geek stories about our sport. You can check out the service for FREE with a free one-month trial subscription! (email: [email protected] ) for the entire daily service. We will post a few historic moments each day, beginning February 1, 2024.
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By Walt Murphy’s News and Results Service ([email protected]), used with permission.
This Day in Track & Field–April 5
1957—A University of Texas lineup of Wallace Wilson, Eddie Southern, Hollis Gainey, and Bobby Whilden set a Collegiate and World Record of 1:22.7 in the 4x220y at the Texas Relays.
Whilden, now 88(87?), continues to succeed in Masters competition, setting a World Record of 9.63 for 60-Meters in his age group at the 2022 U.S. Masters Indoor Championships!
https://alcalde.texasexes.org/2022/11/longhorn-track-record-running/
https://pennrelays.com/honors/wall-of-fame/bobby-whilden/183
1958–Kansas senior Al Oerter had three throws longer than Fortune Gordien’s World Record of 194-6 (59.28) in the Discus at the Kansas Relays, but the marks couldn’t be considered for record purposes since the field sloped more than the allowable limit. Oerter, who had won the first of his 4 Olympic discus titles two years earlier, had throws of 202-6 (61.72), 198-7 (60.52?), and 195-4 (59.54?).
1980—Lorna Griffin threw 192-1 (58.54) in Tempe, Arizona, to set the 5th of her 9 American Records in the discus.
https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/77848
http://spufalcons.com/news/2012/7/18/12_gen_July27.aspx
1986—Jud Logan threw 256-3 (78.10) at the Sun Angel Classic at Arizona State to set the 7th of his 10 American Records in the Hammer Throw.
The long-time coach at Ashland University passed away in January, 2022, at the age of 62.
