Dial’s pole vault record earns him USATF Throwback Athlete of the Week honors

INDIANAPOLIS -- Joe Dial (Tulsa, Oklahoma) set an American record in the men’s pole vault on April 20, 1986 and was voted by fans as winner of the fifth USATF Throwback Athlete of the Week award. In the absence of competition during the Covid-19 pandemic, we are taking a weekly look back at some of the great efforts by American track and field athletes through the years.
 
The bronze medalist at the 1989 World Indoor Championships, Dial set the outdoor AR eight times in his career. His fourth record came on April 20, 1986 at El Paso as he cleared 5.88m/19-3.5 to add two centimeters to his own AR set eight days earlier in Norman, Oklahoma. His lifetime best of 5.96m/19-6.5 came in 1987 when he cleared that height at Norman. Dial, now head coach at Oral Roberts University, won NCAA indoor and outdoor titles in 1984 and 1985 for Oklahoma State University, and added U.S. outdoor crowns in 1985 and 1987.  
 
Other historical performances of note from the April 6-12 period in USATF history:
 

• April 21 — John Lyman World record in men’s shot put, 16.48m/54-1 at Stanford, California in 1934
• April 22 — Deby LaPlante American record in women’s 100mH, 13.10 at Walnut, California in 1979
• April 23 — Charlie Paddock World record in the 100m, 10 2/5 second at Redlands, California in 1921
• April 24 — Mac Wilkins World record in men’s discus throw, 69.18m/226-11 at Walnut, California in 1976
• April 25 — Al Oerter World record in men’s discus throw, 62.94m/206-6 at Walnut California in 1964
• April 26 — Doris Brown American record in women’s 3,000m, 9:44.6 at Walnut, California in 1970

 
Now in its 19th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
 
2020 Winners: January 9, Miranda Melville; January 16, Paul Perry; January 23, Natosha Rogers; January 30, Tyler Day, February 6, Devin Dixon; February 13, Elle Purrier; February 20, Tori Franklin; February 27, Sandi Morris; March 4, Abdi Abdirahman; March 12 Marielle Hall; March 19, Tim Tollefson; April 2, Louise Ritter; April 9, Francie Larrieu Smith; April 16, Erin Gilreath; April 23, Suzy Powell; April 30, Joe Dial.
 
We welcome your nominations!
 
To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about his/her performance to communications@usatf.org.
 
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