Bob Bornkessel

[jlightnin]

It has been mentioned in this forum before but I cant find it. What happened to Bob Bornkessel , he was the national high school record holder in the 400 meter hurdles in 1968 running 49.8 seconds. Then he attended Kansas and only made the NCAA final of the 400 meter hurdles just once (1969 as a freshman) and never broke 50.0 again!
Did Bornkessel get hurt or miht he have just peaked too soon?
This is unusual.

[tafnut]

Re: Bob Bornkessel

he was the national high school record holder in the 400 meter hurdles in 1968 running 49.8 seconds.

Seeing as how the 49.8 was high at altitude at Echo Summit, he probably never broke 50 (basic) at all. It is odd though.

[bf]

I keep age records, and I'm sure Bornkessel was 18 when he did the 49.8, but never found his birthdate. Is there any chance he was still shy of 18? Just wondering.

[TrackCEO]

Last time I chatted with Bob, via email, was 2002, when preps were going nutso in the 400s. Bob was a KU teammate of mine. He never achieved the greatness his HS times prophesied, but he was a great workout partner and inspiration.

See Dyestat's archive of my note:
http://www.dyestat.com/youth/2002/usatf ... kessel.htm

He never entered masters meets, that I know of. I'll write him again.

K E N

[Walt Murphy]

I keep age records, and I'm sure Bornkessel was 18 when he did the 49.8, but never found his birthdate. Is there any chance he was still shy of 18? Just wondering.

birhdate was 4-30-50 (according to www.tilastopaja.net)