HS shotput progression (1950-2008)

[Jack Slocombe]

I am always amazed at the progress enjoyed in the HS shotput over the years. I am also amazed about how the progress has flattened out as the event approaches the ultimate distance.

Looking at 58 years of the all time top 10 HS throwers, I was struck by how few kids break into the top 10 anymore. Here is a breakdown, by decade, of the number of throwers to break into the top 10. HS record and 10th position are at the beginning of each decade.

50s - 29 Record: 59-10 1/2 Tenth: 56-10
60s - 27 Record: 69-3 1/2 Tenth: 65-7
70s - 6 Record: 72-2 1/2 Tenth: 67-0 1/2
80s - 3 Record: 81-3 1/2 Tenth: 69-3 1/2
90s - 2 Record: 81-3 1/2 Tenth: 69-8 1/2
00s - 3 Record: 81-3 1/2 Tenth: 70-1 3/4
08s - 3 Record: 81-3 1/2 Tenth: 71-1 1/2

[gh]

I'd posit that it has less to do w/ "reaching the ultimate distance" than it does with the fact that too many football players don't turn out for track anymore, in this age of specialization.

[dj]

I think you're missing two major factors by including the '50s and '60s: concrete circles and weight lifting. Once those were sufficiently in play in the high school ranks by the late '60s, breaking into the top-10 was left to the true outliers.

[Jack Slocombe]

Actually concrete rings were showing up at meets as soon as 1956. And we were weight training back then also.

[dj]

Actually concrete rings were showing up at meets as soon as 1956. And we were weight training back then also.

Showing up, yes, but in nearly universal use not for another decade or more.