Les Steers
Lester Steers was an American track and field high jumper. In 1941 he broke the world record for the high-jump three times. His last record stood for 12 years.
Track career
Steers attended Palo Alto High School, winning the CIF [California State Meet] three years in a row from 1935 to 1937 and San Mateo Junior College before attending the University of Oregon in 1941, competing for the 'Ducks' in the year of his greatest triumphs.Steers was a great all-round athlete who competed at the javelin, shot put and high-hurdles for his college athletics team as well as the high jump giving him the aspiration of competing as a decathlete.
It was, however, as a high-jumper that he achieved his greatest success. He was NCAA champion )
, 3 times AAU champion
, and a gold medalist at the 1939 [International University Games|World University Games in 1939].
As a jumper, Steers used the 'Belly Roll', a variation of the 'Western Roll'.
Later life
Steers remained in Oregon reportedly working as a salesman.He died in 2003, a resident of Richland Washington.
World records
Steers achieved the following world records during his athletics career:- in Seattle on 26 April 1941;
- in Los Angeles on 24 May 1941;
- in Los Angeles on 17 June 1941.
Steers is also reported to have cleared 7 feet 1/2 inch in an exhibition jump in Eugene on 27 February 1941. The first official clearance of 7 feet was 15 years later by Charles Dumas.
Accolades and awards
In 1974, Steers was inducted into the National [Track and Field Hall of Fame|USA Track and Field Hall of Fame].In 1992, Steers was inducted into the University of Oregon Hall of Fame.