Randy Matson

Event: Shot Put

Inducted to Hall of Fame: 1990

Randy totally redefined the shot put in the '60s and '70s. In 1965 he became the first man to surpass the 70 foot barrier. Randy's 70-7 1/4 throw on May 8th, 1965 ended an extraordinary one month period when he broke the American record (AR) three times, adding nearly three feet to the previous AR. He just missed making his third Olympic team in 1972, when he finished fourth at the Olympic Trials.

Born: 1945

College: Texas A&M

• 1968: 1st, 69-10 1/2
• 1970: 1st, 68-11 1/2
• 1971: 1st, 67-9

• PR: 71-5 1/2 (21.78m)
• Broke WR twice:
  • 1965: 70-7 1/4 (21.52m)
  • 1967: 71-5 1/2 (21.78m)
• Olympic Gold Medal, 1968
  • 67-4 3/4 (20.54)
• Olympic Silver Medal, 1964
  • 66-3 1/4 (20.20m)
• U.S. National Champion:
  • 1964: 64-11
  • 1966: 64-2 1/4
  • 1967: 66-11
  • 1968: 67-5
  • 1970: 67-10 1/4
  • 1972: 69-6 1/2
• NCAA Shot Put Champion:
  • 1966: 67-1 1/2
  • 1967: 67-9 1/4
• NCAA Discus Champion:
  • 1966: 197-0
  • 1967: 190-4