Franklin "Bud" Held Named USATF Athlete of the Week

August 13, 2008 from USATF press release (INDIANAPOLIS IN) Franklin "Bud" Held has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after setting new World and American age group records in the pole vault and hammer throw at the 2008 USA Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Spokane, WA. Held, who competes in the men's 80-84 age division, set the world pole vault record on August 7 clearing 2.65 meters/8 feet 8.25 inches. Two days later he set the U.S. record in the hammer throw with a toss of 34.15 meters/112 feet. Inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1987, Held competed in the 1952 Olympics as a javelin thrower and was a decorated athlete winning three national collegiate titles, six U.S. crowns and held the U.S. record on six occasions. Held had competed in the pole vault in high school, but concentrated on the javelin event throughout his career as a collegiate and world class athlete. Held did not start pole vaulting again until he was 60.

For more: www.usatf.org/HallOfFame/TF/showBio.asp?HOFIDs=72