From Walt Murphy. Shared with permission. Walt produces an info-rich daily ”This Day in T&F” newsletter.
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Carter’s High School Record Has Stood For 44 Years!
“A mark that may last for many generations, if not forever.”
1979–Senior Michael Carter (Jefferson-Dallas,TX) already owned the National H.S. Record in the Shot Put, having thrown 77-0 (23.47m) earlier in the season (almost five feet farther than the 2nd-best prep in history), but no one was prepared for what he did at the Golden West Invitational in Sacramento.
With a win in the Discus already under his belt (201-2/61.32m), Carter opened with a solid 75-1 (22.88m), followed by a modest 67-7 1/2(20.61m). He improved to 75-4 1/4 (22.96m) on his 3rd toss, fouled on his 4th, and approached his own record with a 5th round put of 76-4 1/4 (23.27).
Stepping into the ring for his final effort with the 12-pound implement, Carter unleashed his monster throw, reaching out to an incredible, “Beamonesque”, 81-3 ½ (24.77m), a mark that may last for many generations, if not forever. Carter also won the 16-pound event with a toss of 62-11 (19.17m), and raised the National H.S. Record in that event to an equally “untouchable” 67-9(20.65) in post-season competition.
He had extra motivation entering the meet, since his girlfriend wanted him to throw 80-feet. She must have been pleased with the outcome, since the couple later married!
Carter won four indoor and three outdoor NCAA titles in the Shot Put while at SMU, won the silver medal at the 1984 Olympics, and was an All-Pro nose tackle on a San Francisco 49ers football team that won three Super Bowls. Three of his children have also had success in the sport. He still considers his big throw his most memorable performance, more so than his Olympic medal or his 3 Super Bowl wins!
Many hard-core fans (myself included), were in California this weekend, but down South in Walnut, where the U.S. Championships were being held. But the T&F grapevine is well-tuned and the word quickly spread–“Did you hear what Carter did”? The distance often had to be repeated to skeptical fans, much like when Bob Beamon jumped 29-2 ½ (8.90) at the 1968 Olympics!
Rivaling the Crouser Family
Daughter Michelle (Texas) won the shot put at the 2006 NCAA Indoor Championships and became the dominant American in the event. She won the bronze medal at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing and the gold medal at the 2016 World Indoor Championships and 2016 Olympics. Her sister D’Andra was the 2009 NCAA Discus Champion (Texas Tech) and her brother, Michael, Jr., was the 2009 Junior College Indoor Champion in the shot put.
Video: Very grainy but happily someone recorded his incredible day:
