Resigned: Jim Estes
Currently involved in a lawsuit against USATF, with USATF having filed counterclaims against him (see “Last Lap”), Estes wrote in his letter stepping down from the organization’s Board Of Directors, “Representing my constituents is no longer possible.”
Died: Shawn Barber, 29
On January 17, in Kingwood, Texas; from “medical complications.” The ’15 world champion vaulter for Canada, but schooled in the U.S., he set the national HS record at 18-3½ in ’12. Won the NCAA title outdoors for Akron in ’15; indoors, he won the ’14 and ’15 collegiate crowns. A 4-time World Ranker, he was No. 2 in ’15. Still holds the Canadian Record at 19-8¼ (6.00).
Died: Al Cantello, 92
On January 17, in Annapolis, Maryland. A ’60 Olympian in the javelin, he won bronze at the previous year’s Pan-Am Games. A 3-time All-America for La Salle, in 1954 he broke the CR at the NCAA only to end up 2nd. He won the ’60 Olympic Trials and finished 10th in Rome. Twice he Ranked No. 4 in the world (’59 & ’60). Later he coached at Navy for more than 50 years and is in the USTFCCCA Hall of Fame.
Died: Jerry Dyes, 82
On January 15, in Boerne, Texas. NCAA javelin runner-up as a soph in ’62, that same year he placed 3rd in the AAU. He made No. 8 in the U.S. when the U.S. Rankings debuted in ’63. He later coached at several schools including his alma mater, Abilene Christian.
Died: Marcia Garbey, 74
On January 01, in Santiago de Cuba. The 4th-placer in the long jump at the ’72 Olympics after not making the ’68 final, she would Rank No. 4 in the world that year.
Died: Mike Fanelli, 67
On November 25, in Asti, California; from brain cancer. A noted historian of the sport and writer for T&FN, Fanelli’s enthusiasm and his contributions to the sport were vast.
Died: Knut Hjeltnes, 72
On January 17, in Oslo. The Norwegian discus great was an NCAA 3rd-placer for Western Maryland in ’73 and two years later for Penn State. A 3-time Olympian, he placed 4th in ’84 and 7th in both ’76 and ’88. He World Ranked 8 times 1976–86, with a No. 2 in ’86. He later coached throwers at Army and Auburn.
Died: Michel Jazy, 87
A 9-time World Record setter for France, he won silver in the 1500 in Rome ’60, and placed 4th in the Tokyo 5000. He was World Ranked 8 times over 1500, with a high of No. 2 and thrice at No. 3. At 5000 he World Ranked 4 times, and was No. 1 in ’65.
Died: Benjamin Kiplagat, 34
On December 31, in Eldoret, Kenya, victim of a stabbing. The Ugandan steepler had a best of 8:03.81 and was a World and Olympic finalist. He placed 5th in the ’07 World XC. He World Ranked 3 times, and was No. 5 in ’10.
Died: Osvaldo Lara, 68
On January 01, in Havana. The Cuban sprinter placed 5th in the ’80 Olympic 100 and 8th in the 200. He World Ranked No. 8 in the century that year.
Died: Walter McNew, 88
On December 18, in Richardson, Texas. The winner of the 1956 NCAA XC for Texas, he also placed 8th the next year.
Died: Uno Palu, 90
On January 15. The Estonian decathlete competed for the Soviet Union and placed 4th at the ’56 Olympics. He was a 3-time World Ranker, getting as high as No. 4 in ’56.
Died: Carmen Valero, 68
On January 02, in Sabadell, Spain, of a stroke. The 2-time winner of the World XC (’76 & ’77), she was the first female trackster to represent Spain in the Olympics.
Died: Magda Vidos, 79
On January 14, in Budapest. The Hungarian javelin thrower World Ranked twice, reaching No. 2 in ’69. In the ’72 Olympics she placed 11th.