Died: Lidia Alfeyeva, 76
On March 03. The long jump bronze medalist from the ’76 Games, the Ukrainian jumper, competing for the Soviets, finished 8th in ’80. A 4-time World Ranker, she was No. 1 in ’75.
Died: Mark Conover, 61
On April 06, after a years-long bout with Hodgkin’s. The surprise winner of the ’88 Olympic Trials Marathon, he was No. 1 in the U.S. Rankings that year, the only time he made the top 10. He later coached at Cal Poly for 25 years and coached his teams to 6 Big West titles.
Died: Ron Davis, 81
On April 22, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The 5th-placer in the ’62 NCAA steeple after finishing 6th the year before, he also ran on San José State’s ’62 NCAA-winning XC team. In ’64 he was U.S.-Ranked No. 8 in the steeplechase. Later became coach to Filbert Bayi, and guided him to the ’80 Olympic silver in the steeplechase.
Died: Brian Kivlan, 74
On April 09, in Jacksonville, Florida. The 26th American ever to break 4:00 in the mile, he placed 3rd in the ’68 NCAA 1500 for Manhattan, and 3rd in the AAU the same year. Twice was U.S. Ranked, at No. 9 in both ’68 and ’69.
Died: Kazumi Watanabe, 86
On April 21, in Fukuoka, Japan. The 2-time Olympic marathoner (32nd in ’60, 28th in ’64) World Ranked No. 7 in ’63.
Died: Desai Williams, 62
On April 10, in MIssissauga, Ontario. The Canadian sprinter placed 4th in the NCAA 200 in ’80 for Clemson. In ’84 he won Olympic bronze on the 4×1. Four years later, he placed 6th in the Seoul 100 final. He went on to become a coach, but a later probe charged he had violated sexual harassment policy in ’10, and in ’18 the federation banned him for life. ◻︎