Santa Monica Track Club
Encyclopedia
The Santa Monica Track Club was formed in 1972 by Joe Douglas as a post-collegiate track club. By the 1980s, the team came to be a major player in worldwide Track and Field competition, with team members setting numerous World and National records. The membership list reads like a Who's Who
of Olympic athletes and the SMTC logo became a recognizable icon on the uniforms of those elite athletes.
from Puerto Rico
, Willie Rios joined the club and qualified to run in the 1972 Summer Olympics
. In 1974, member Reid Harter set the first American Record in the road 30 Kilometre run. By 1976, three team members qualified for the 1976 Summer Olympics
..
In 1979, a young Carl Lewis
, then known as a top level High School long jumper, joined the club for competitions beyond his collegiate career at the University of Houston
. Lewis went on to be the dominant force in sprinting and long jump for the next decade. Coached in the off season by his collegiate coach Tom Tellez, other elite sprinters were attracted to the club, including Carol Lewis
, Carl's sister and University of Houston teammates Joe DeLoach
, Leroy Burrell
and Kirk Baptiste
. The club developed an impressive record of Olympic and World Championships, limited in many situations because teammates were the closest competition at the highest level. Lewis and Burrell exchanged the prestigious World Record in the 100 metres
four times.
Four members of the club, Michael Marsh, Leroy Burrell
, Floyd Heard
and Carl Lewis
, representing the Santa Monica Track Club set the still standing current World Record in the 4 x 200 metre relay, set at the Mt. SAC Relays
in 1994. Also Kevin Young
's World Record in the 400 metre hurdles set in winning the 1992 Summer Olympics
still stands.
(who had the personalized license place SMTC 1), an early Masters runner who joined the club in the mid-1970s and became its president.
Who's Who
Who's Who is the title of a number of reference publications, generally containing concise biographical information on a particular group of people...
of Olympic athletes and the SMTC logo became a recognizable icon on the uniforms of those elite athletes.
History
In its first year of existence, 1968 OlympianPuerto Rico at the 1968 Summer Olympics
Puerto Rico competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico. 58 competitors, 54 men and 4 women, took part in 54 events in 10 sports.-Athletics:Men's 100 metres* Jorge Vizcarondo...
from Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, Willie Rios joined the club and qualified to run in the 1972 Summer Olympics
1972 Summer Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
. In 1974, member Reid Harter set the first American Record in the road 30 Kilometre run. By 1976, three team members qualified for the 1976 Summer Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
..
In 1979, a young Carl Lewis
Carl Lewis
Frederick Carlton "Carl" Lewis is an American former track and field athlete, who won 10 Olympic medals including 9 gold, and 10 World Championships medals, of which 8 were gold. His career spanned from 1979 when he first achieved a world ranking to 1996 when he last won an Olympic title and...
, then known as a top level High School long jumper, joined the club for competitions beyond his collegiate career at the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
. Lewis went on to be the dominant force in sprinting and long jump for the next decade. Coached in the off season by his collegiate coach Tom Tellez, other elite sprinters were attracted to the club, including Carol Lewis
Carol Lewis
Carol LeGrant Lewis is an American former track and field athlete who specialised in the long jump. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, she is the sister of former world record holder Carl Lewis....
, Carl's sister and University of Houston teammates Joe DeLoach
Joe DeLoach
Joseph Nathaniel DeLoach is a former American sprinter, the 1988 Olympic champion in the 200 m.Born in Bay City, Texas into a family with 11 sisters and one brother, DeLoach enjoyed running at a young age and desired to become a football player, but later set his mind to sprinting...
, Leroy Burrell
Leroy Burrell
Leroy Russel Burrell is a former American athlete who twice set the world record for the 100 meters sprint, setting a time of 9.90 seconds in June 1991. This was broken by Carl Lewis in September at the World Track and Field Championships. In that race, Burrell came in second, yet he...
and Kirk Baptiste
Kirk Baptiste
Kirk Baptiste is a retired American track and field athlete, who mainly competed in the 200 metres.He competed for the United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, United States, where he won the silver medal in the 200 metres.-References:...
. The club developed an impressive record of Olympic and World Championships, limited in many situations because teammates were the closest competition at the highest level. Lewis and Burrell exchanged the prestigious World Record in the 100 metres
100 metres
The 100 metres, or 100-metre dash, is a sprint race in track and field competitions. The shortest common outdoor running distance, it is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896...
four times.
Four members of the club, Michael Marsh, Leroy Burrell
Leroy Burrell
Leroy Russel Burrell is a former American athlete who twice set the world record for the 100 meters sprint, setting a time of 9.90 seconds in June 1991. This was broken by Carl Lewis in September at the World Track and Field Championships. In that race, Burrell came in second, yet he...
, Floyd Heard
Floyd Heard
Floyd Wayne Heard is a retired track and field sprinter from the United States, best known for setting the 1986 world's best year performance in the men's 200 metres. He did so on 1986-07-07 at a meet in Moscow, Soviet Union, clocking 20.12...
and Carl Lewis
Carl Lewis
Frederick Carlton "Carl" Lewis is an American former track and field athlete, who won 10 Olympic medals including 9 gold, and 10 World Championships medals, of which 8 were gold. His career spanned from 1979 when he first achieved a world ranking to 1996 when he last won an Olympic title and...
, representing the Santa Monica Track Club set the still standing current World Record in the 4 x 200 metre relay, set at the Mt. SAC Relays
Mt. SAC Relays
The Mt. SAC Relays are an annual track and field festival held primarily at Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the Mt. San Antonio College campus in Walnut, California. The relays, held in April each year, were started by then track coach Hilmer Lodge in 1959. The meet attracts all levels and disciplines of...
in 1994. Also Kevin Young
Kevin Young (athlete)
Kevin Curtis Young is a former American athlete. He was the winner of the 400 meter hurdles at the 1992 Summer Olympics...
's World Record in the 400 metre hurdles set in winning the 1992 Summer Olympics
Athletics at the 1992 Summer Olympics
At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, 43 events in athletics were contested, 24 events by men and 19 by women. The competition ran from July 31, 1992 to August 9, 1992. Fourteen world record-holders were among the contenders...
still stands.
Foundation
The club is funded through the Santa Monica Track Club Foundation, founded by Ed StotsenbergEd Stotsenberg
Edward G. Stotsenberg was an American philanthropist. Originally the accountant for movie star Mary Pickford during the last 20 years of her life, Stotsenberg was one of the trustees of Mary Pickford Foundation established in the 1970s at the wishes of the star.Santa Monica College benefitted from...
(who had the personalized license place SMTC 1), an early Masters runner who joined the club in the mid-1970s and became its president.
Membership
- Carl LewisCarl LewisFrederick Carlton "Carl" Lewis is an American former track and field athlete, who won 10 Olympic medals including 9 gold, and 10 World Championships medals, of which 8 were gold. His career spanned from 1979 when he first achieved a world ranking to 1996 when he last won an Olympic title and...
- 9 Olympic Gold Medals, 1 Silver, 8 World Championship Gold Medals, 3 time World Record holder 100 metres100 metresThe 100 metres, or 100-metre dash, is a sprint race in track and field competitions. The shortest common outdoor running distance, it is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896... - Leroy BurrellLeroy BurrellLeroy Russel Burrell is a former American athlete who twice set the world record for the 100 meters sprint, setting a time of 9.90 seconds in June 1991. This was broken by Carl Lewis in September at the World Track and Field Championships. In that race, Burrell came in second, yet he...
- 1 Olympic Gold Medal, 2 World Championship Gold Medals, 2 time World Record holder 100 metres100 metresThe 100 metres, or 100-metre dash, is a sprint race in track and field competitions. The shortest common outdoor running distance, it is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896... - Kevin YoungKevin Young (athlete)Kevin Curtis Young is a former American athlete. He was the winner of the 400 meter hurdles at the 1992 Summer Olympics...
- 1 Olympic Gold Medal, 1 World Championship Gold Medal, current World Record holder 400 metre hurdles - Steve Lewis - 3 Olympic Gold Medals, 1 Silver
- Mike Marsh- 2 Olympic Gold Medals, 1 Silver
- Danny EverettDanny EverettDaniel Joseph Everett is a 400 metre runner from the United States. As a 21-year-old he participated in the 1988 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal in the individual event and a gold medal with the United States 4x400 m relay...
- 1 Olympic Gold Medal, 1 Bronze - Joe DeLoachJoe DeLoachJoseph Nathaniel DeLoach is a former American sprinter, the 1988 Olympic champion in the 200 m.Born in Bay City, Texas into a family with 11 sisters and one brother, DeLoach enjoyed running at a young age and desired to become a football player, but later set his mind to sprinting...
- 1 Olympic Gold Medal - Kirk BaptisteKirk BaptisteKirk Baptiste is a retired American track and field athlete, who mainly competed in the 200 metres.He competed for the United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, United States, where he won the silver medal in the 200 metres.-References:...
- 1 Olympic medal - Johnny GrayJohnny GrayJohn Lee Gray, Jr. was an American 800 m runner of the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1985 he set the US record of 1:42.60 min at a meet in Koblenz. That time puts Gray as the #11 performer of all time...
- 1 Olympic medal, current United States record 800 metres800 metresThe 800 meter race is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle distance track event. The 800 meter is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 meter track, therefore requiring four laps... - Earl JonesEarl Jones (athlete)Earl Jones is an American former middle distance runner who won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games In Los Angeles 1984 over 800m. He finished third behind Joaquim Cruz and Sebastian Coe in a time of 1:43.83 min. Earlier that summer at the U.S...
- 1 Olympic medal - David MackDavid Mack (police officer)David Anthony Mack , is a former LAPD Rampart Division Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums officer. He is one of the central figures in the LAPD Rampart police corruption scandal. Mack was arrested for masterminding the November 6, 1997, robbery of $722,000 from a South Central Los...
- Floyd HeardFloyd HeardFloyd Wayne Heard is a retired track and field sprinter from the United States, best known for setting the 1986 world's best year performance in the men's 200 metres. He did so on 1986-07-07 at a meet in Moscow, Soviet Union, clocking 20.12...
- Cletus ClarkCletus ClarkCletus Clark is a retired male hurdler from the United States, best known for winning the gold medal in the men's 110 metres hurdles at the 1991 Pan American Games.-Achievements:-References:...
- Mark WitherspoonUnited States at the 1992 Summer Olympics- Gold:* Michael Marsh — Athletics, Men's 200 metres* Quincy Watts — Athletics, Men's 400 metres* Kevin Young — Athletics, Men's 400 m Hurdles...
- Todd HarbourUnited States at the 1992 Summer Olympics- Gold:* Michael Marsh — Athletics, Men's 200 metres* Quincy Watts — Athletics, Men's 400 metres* Kevin Young — Athletics, Men's 400 m Hurdles...
- Prince Mumba
- George KershGeorge KershGeorge Kersh is a former world-class runner and current high school running coach.-High school:While running for Pearl High School Kersh broke the national high school record twice in the 800m, with a best time of 1:46:58 on June 13, 1987. The record was broken in 1996 by Michael Granville of...
- Lewis JohnsonLewis JohnsonLewis Johnson is a reporter for ESPN, and NBC Sports. He formerly worked for Versus. He was the sideline reporter for Notre Dame football home games and in 2001 and 2002 was a sideline reporter for the NBA Finals on NBC and for the network's Arena Football telecasts from 2003 through 2006...
- Bayano KamaniBayano KamaniBayano Kamani is a Panamanian hurdler who specialises in the 400 metres hurdles. He is the South American record holder in that event. He competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, reaching the semi-finals....
- Delisa Walton-FloydDelisa Walton-FloydDelisa Walton-Floyd is a former World-Class middle distance runner who specialized in the 800 metres; she was a two-time National Collegiate champion, and two-time U.S. Open champion in her event. Delisa Walton-Floyd represented the United States at the 1987 Pan American Games; winning a silver...
- Jenny SpanglerUnited States at the 1996 Summer OlympicsThe United States was the host nation for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.- Gold:* Justin Huish — Archery, Men's Individual Competition* Justin Huish, Richard Johnson, and Rod White — Archery, Men's Team Competition...
- Michelle Finn-BurrellMichelle FinnMichelle Finn is an American former sprint athlete from Orlando, Florida. She graduated from Oak Ridge High School in Orlando. She set the Florida State University record for the 100 meters which has lasted over 18 years into the 2006 season. She won a gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics as...
- Carol LewisCarol LewisCarol LeGrant Lewis is an American former track and field athlete who specialised in the long jump. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, she is the sister of former world record holder Carl Lewis....
- 1 World Championship Bronze medal