Greatest HS performance ever.....?

[noone]

Another perspective on Mary Cain's performance:

The late Glenda Reiser (CAN) ran a 4:06.71 1500 at the Munich Olympics, aged barely 17.

Didn't know that she died...what happened?

See the obituary from 2008:

http://www.athletics.ca/display_news.asp?newsid=469

[James Fields]

For "greatest high school peformance," I favor what Bert Nelson described on page 60 of his "Olympic Track and Field" booklet -- winning an Olympic Championship with World Record performance: Elizabeth Robinson / 100 meter dash and Bob Mathias / Decathlon.

[fasttrack85]

I will go with Allyson Felix's 22.11 altitude run in Mexico into a headwind as a 17 year old high schooler. I remember it well becuz I was 17 and in high school as well.

[catson52]

Looks like almost all the discussion is about US athletes (only), although some posters express the opinion that all athletes should be included before their 18th birthday. Mathias' 1948 victory was with a score nowhere near a WR - the opposition was weak. His 1952 victory was with a WR, by which time he was 21 years old. Elizabeth Robinson's win has merit - but I believe Yaschenko's WR in USA (Richmond?) is clearly the outstanding performance.

[user4]

Mathias, OG gold at 17, broke the world record at 19 years of age, 1950. Pseudo-sophisticates like to say that the Decathlon OG of 1948 was a weak field, but why do we not hear them say the same regarding other events? As WR holder at 19, he went on to capture OG gold again in 1952 at 22 yrs. What would he have done at 26 ? Mathias is the best teen/HS decathlete ever.

[kuha]

For the umpteenth time:

Ryun's 3:55.3 in 1965.

[Smoke]

I am leaning strongly towards Michael Carter's 81 footer. Love Ryun's run. And cannot forget the LJ record!

BTW, when asked what the HS, meaning high school, that makes it a US list. Now age group is a different discussion.

[wallaby]

I must put in a plug for Maureen Caird here.

17 Years old.
Mexico Olympics 1968. Won Gold.
World record.
Beat the World No 1 into 2nd place (Pam Kilborn).
Current WR holder (Korsakova) run out in 2nd Round.

It's hard to think how much better a HS-age performance can be.

[gh]

In the general context of this board, which is so U.S.-centric (by design), the term "HS" typically refers only to athletes attending U.S. high schools, not international age-group performances.

[wallaby]

In the general context of this board, which is so U.S.-centric (by design), the term "HS" typically refers only to athletes attending U.S. high schools, not international age-group performances.

That's Ok - I guess that rules out Matthias then - he had graduated from High School before competing in the London olympics in 48.

[Dave]

For the umpteenth time:

Ryun's 3:55.3 in 1965.

I still go with Carter, but not by much.

I was very fortunate to get to see Alan Webb beat Ryun's mark at Pre.

[kuha]

For the umpteenth time:

Ryun's 3:55.3 in 1965.

I still go with Carter, but not by much.

I was very fortunate to get to see Alan Webb beat Ryun's mark at Pre.

I beg to differ. Try matching this performance:
-sets the US record
-wins the national championship race
-defeats the defending Olympic champion and WR holder

NOTHING else (in the modern era) can match this.

[bambam]

Another perspective on Mary Cain's performance:

The late Glenda Reiser (CAN) ran a 4:06.71 1500 at the Munich Olympics, aged barely 17.

Didn't know that she died...what happened?

She became a doctor, family physician. Died in January 2008.

[gh]

For the umpteenth time:

Ryun's 3:55.3 in 1965.

I still go with Carter, but not by much.

I was very fortunate to get to see Alan Webb beat Ryun's mark at Pre.

I beg to differ. Try matching this performance:
-sets the US record
-wins the national championship race
-defeats the defending Olympic champion and WR holder

NOTHING else (in the modern era) can match this.

I wouldn't push the beat Oly champ/WR holder thing to far. Snell by his own admission hadn't basically trained for months, and Ryun was only the third high schooler to beat him on that tour).

[26mi235]

For the umpteenth time:

Ryun's 3:55.3 in 1965.

I still go with Carter, but not by much.

I was very fortunate to get to see Alan Webb beat Ryun's mark at Pre.

I beg to differ. Try matching this performance:
-sets the US record
-wins the national championship race
-defeats the defending Olympic champion and WR holder

NOTHING else (in the modern era) can match this.

Well, putting the ball out there 80+ feet is something, half a century later, that almost no one has ever done. There have been an awful lot of 3:55 miles. It seems like it has to be the perfect throw, essentially no way he could have done anything at all different to get more than a trivial amount of additional distance.

[kuha]

I wouldn't push the beat Oly champ/WR holder thing to far. Snell by his own admission hadn't basically trained for months, and Ryun was only the third high schooler to beat him on that tour).

But it remains true as a simple fact. And Snell did NOT run badly that day--it took a US national record to beat him.

[user4]

They are both great performances, There is still no high schooler that can toss the 12bler 81 feet and there is still no high schooler that can run 3:55 on cinder. Comparing 3:55s on modern surfaces with Ryun's is just silly.

[Marlow]

They are both great performances, There is still no high schooler that can toss the 12bler 81 feet and there is still no high schooler that can run 3:55 on cinder. Comparing 3:55s on modern surfaces with Ryun's is just silly.

A hard-packed cinder surface, such as that race was run on, is not THAT big a deterrent to a fast Mile time. Bob Hayes' chewed up Lane 1 in Tokyo, that was a much bigger deal.

[kuha]

They are both great performances, There is still no high schooler that can toss the 12bler 81 feet and there is still no high schooler that can run 3:55 on cinder. Comparing 3:55s on modern surfaces with Ryun's is just silly.

Completely agree. To be precise, Ryun ran 3:56 on cinders; the 3:55 was on an early all-weather surface. The times aside, the real point is that no HS since has come close to that quality competitive effort, in a race of true international significance.

[Marlow]

They are both great performances, There is still no high schooler that can toss the 12bler 81 feet and there is still no high schooler that can run 3:55 on cinder. Comparing 3:55s on modern surfaces with Ryun's is just silly.

Completely agree. To be precise, Ryun ran 3:56 on cinders; the 3:55 was on an early all-weather surface. The times aside, the real point is that no HS since has come close to that quality competitive effort, in a race of true international significance.

Which doesn't preclude Carter's performance being 'superior' (whatever that means in an apple/orangey kinda way).

[user4]

They are both great performances, There is still no high schooler that can toss the 12bler 81 feet and there is still no high schooler that can run 3:55 on cinder. Comparing 3:55s on modern surfaces with Ryun's is just silly.

A hard-packed cinder surface, such as that race was run on, is not THAT big a deterrent to a fast Mile time. Bob Hayes' chewed up Lane 1 in Tokyo, that was a much bigger deal.

Actually no, it wasnt a "much bigger deal", whatever that means, but especially in the context of this discussion.

[kuha]

They are both great performances, There is still no high schooler that can toss the 12bler 81 feet and there is still no high schooler that can run 3:55 on cinder. Comparing 3:55s on modern surfaces with Ryun's is just silly.

Completely agree. To be precise, Ryun ran 3:56 on cinders; the 3:55 was on an early all-weather surface. The times aside, the real point is that no HS since has come close to that quality competitive effort, in a race of true international significance.

Which doesn't preclude Carter's performance being 'superior' (whatever that means in an apple/orangey kinda way).

In my opinion (who's else could it be?) it ABSOLUTELY DOES mean that Ryun's mile is inherently "superior"--in precisely an apple vs orange way, which is the only way possible.

None of this should be perceived as a slam on Carter's amazing throw; it WAS incredible, etc. It's a matter of subjectively ranking performances of reasonably equivalent quality.

[Marlow]

In my opinion (who's else could it be?) . . . subjectively ranking performances of reasonably equivalent quality [is impossible].

Editorial license!

[marknhj]

They are both great performances, There is still no high schooler that can toss the 12bler 81 feet and there is still no high schooler that can run 3:55 on cinder. Comparing 3:55s on modern surfaces with Ryun's is just silly.

Completely agree. To be precise, Ryun ran 3:56 on cinders; the 3:55 was on an early all-weather surface. The times aside, the real point is that no HS since has come close to that quality competitive effort, in a race of true international significance.

Which doesn't preclude Carter's performance being 'superior' (whatever that means in an apple/orangey kinda way).

I would relish every opportunity possible to rate a shot performance over one in the mile. But a man - child throwing a light shot a long way can't be rated over a child - child doing the business at a standard distance against world class opposition, in my opinion. Unfortunately.

[kuha]

They are both great performances, There is still no high schooler that can toss the 12bler 81 feet and there is still no high schooler that can run 3:55 on cinder. Comparing 3:55s on modern surfaces with Ryun's is just silly.

Completely agree. To be precise, Ryun ran 3:56 on cinders; the 3:55 was on an early all-weather surface. The times aside, the real point is that no HS since has come close to that quality competitive effort, in a race of true international significance.

Which doesn't preclude Carter's performance being 'superior' (whatever that means in an apple/orangey kinda way).

I would relish every opportunity possible to rate a shot performance over one in the mile. But a man - child throwing a light shot a long way can't be rated over a child - child doing the business at a standard distance against world class opposition, in my opinion. Unfortunately.

You, sir, are a sage and a scholar.

[dukehjsteve]

Please remember:

kuha is always right. ( Really. )

[kuha]

Please remember:

kuha is always right. ( Really. )

You won't get many seconds on that motion!

[lonewolf]

Ryun 3:55

[Marlow]

Ryun 3:55

I suspect the 'problem' with those who think that Ryun's 3:55 is superior to Carter's 81' is their understanding of how much hard work went into training for and then running that race, whereas Carter just got in the ring and threw a shot once. In terms of which was the greater effort, there's clearly no contest. But, the performance, the sheer magnitude, and outlying nature of 81' is just too . . . outré . . . to be overlooked as the the POC.

[marknhj]

Ryun 3:55

I suspect the 'problem' with those who think that Ryun's 3:55 is superior to Carter's 81' is their understanding of how much hard work went into training for and then running that race, whereas Carter just got in the ring and threw a shot once. In terms of which was the greater effort, there's clearly no contest. But, the performance, the sheer magnitude, and outlying nature of 81' is just too . . . outré . . . to be overlooked as the the POC.

Are you suggesting that those who don't agree with you are ignorant, or lack your self-perceived deep understanding, about field events?

[aaronk]

I wish people weren't so focused on Mike Carter's TWELVE pound shot performance of 81+.
If they'd turn to his SIXTEEN pound HSR from that same year, a toss of 67-9, I'd be more apt to consider Carter's mark as competitive with Ryun's.
(Though I'd still think Ryun's was better!!)

In the competitive world of T&F, the one mile race is still run at several big meets, such as Bislett and Prefontaine....as well as several others!!
Tell me, how many big meets OUTSIDE of HS hold the TWELVE pound shot put as an event...let alone a FEATURED event??

Answer: ZERO!!

That to me makes Carter's 16 pound HSR...plus the fact that he has the EIGHT best marks in the 16 pounder....and is the ONLY HS'er to go over 63-8 with it....much more relevant to our discussion here!!

To me, the 12 pounder is as unnecessary and irrelevant as the 1600 or 3200 meter runs!!

[Marlow]

Are you suggesting that those who don't agree with you are ignorant, or lack your self-perceived deep understanding, about field events?

Fair question and I see how it looks that way, but no, I'm talking about the deep abiding respect Ryun, in general, but especially his HS exploits, is granted by RUNNERS. They look at all the pain and work he had to put in to harness his incredible (almost literally - unbelievable) talent. Then they look at some skinny, gawky, knock-kneed High Jumper (especially those limey ones!) and dismiss him and his cute little run and jump. Similarly, Carter is just this big beefy 'oaf' who can muscle a hunk of metal far - big whoop. This represents a very real representation of field eventers UNIVERSALLY. I'm just sayin' . . .

I wish people weren't so focused on Mike Carter's TWELVE pound shot performance of 81+. If they'd turn to his SIXTEEN pound HSR from that same year, a toss of 67-9, I'd be more apt to consider Carter's mark as competitive with Ryun's.

His 67' is NOTHING compared to his 81-footer. We're specifically talking about HIGH SCHOOL performances so the 16-pound shot is just an odd curiosity there. As far as HS performances go, Webb has surpassed Ryun in the record books (yes, I understood the circumstances and conditions were different!). No one is even close (tho Crouser was intriguing) to passing Carter.

Maybe Mark is right and I am just over-reacting to the usual running bias that exists in T&F fandom. But . . . tho I LOVE (LOVE LOVE) what Ryun did, Carter's throw is other-worldly (to moi). To make the point finer, I consider Ryun the greater performer! But that one throw . . .

[marknhj]

Marlow - I see your premise and agree to a certain extent. As a very broad generality, in my experience track-centric athletes and fans have significantly less knowledge and appreciation of field events than field-centric athletes and fans have of track events.

Where I would disagree, and there is definitely a cultural element at play in that HS athletics is very visible in the US and bordering on invisible in most other countries, is that I have always believed Carter's 81' to be an extreme fluke-like oddity and that his 21.76m and Olympic medal is the real mark of his fabulous prowess and talent. I do appreciate that most US HS track & field fans will vehemently disagree.

[Pego]

Please remember:

kuha is always right. ( Really. )

Almost always .

[Tuariki]

If one restricts commentary to those who attended USA high schools then I am in the camp that supports Michael Carter as being the best HS performance which is for me marginally ahead of Ryun's mile.

However, so as not to shut out the rest of the world I think the logical and fairest comparison has to take in age as a factor. On that basis I think Jacko Gill's 24.45 (5kg), 22.31 (6kg) and 20.38 (7.26kg) as a 16 year old are better performances than Carter's 24.77 and 20.65 as an 18 year old.

Carter's 24.77 is still the benchmark performance for Jacko to chase though. Therefore, it will be interesting to see what Jacko can do this year as a 17 year old over the next 7 weeks. My predictions 23.20 (6kg) and 21.00 (7.26kg).

Warsaw, 9/20/11 (real competition)
5kgSP (11.03lb): 1. Majewski 81-7½ (24.88); 2. Armstrong 79-2¾ (24.15); 3. Cantwell 74-10 (22.81).

These results tend to suggest IMO that Jacko has much greater speed than the world's best given his comparative lack of size and strength.

However, the best performance all time for the HS age group IMO is Nigel Amos' 1:41.73.