1959 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships

1959 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships
DatesFebruary 21 (men)
January 24 (women)
Host cityNew York City, New York, United States (men)
Washington, D.C., United States (women)
VenueMadison Square Garden (men)
D.C. Armory (women)
LevelSenior
TypeIndoor
Events20 (12 men's + 8 women's)
← 1958
1960 →

The 1959 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships were organized by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and served as the national championships in indoor track and field for the United States.

The men's edition was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, and it took place February 21. The women's meet was held separately at the D.C. Armory in Washington, D.C., taking place January 24.[1]

At the men's championships, five world records were set including a mark of 4:02.5 in the indoor mile by Ron Delany. 15,789 spectators attended the men's edition.[2][3]

After two exhibition races the prior year, it was the first time that the women's 440 yards and 880 yards were contested, and the first time that any distance longer than 220 yards was added.[4][5]

Medal summary

Men

Event Gold Silver Bronze
60 yards Paul Winder 6.1
600 yards Josh Culbreath 1:11.1
1000 yards  Zbigniew Orywal (POL) 2:12.6  Paul Schmidt (GER) Arnold Sowell
Mile run[a]  Ron Delany (IRL) 4:02.5  Istvan Rozsavolgyi (HUN)  Lazlo Taboi (HUN)
3 miles Bill Dellinger 13:37.0
60 yards hurdles Elias Gilbert 7.3
High jump John Thomas 2.16 m
Pole vault Don Bragg 4.60 m
Long jump Mike Herman 7.64 m
Shot put Parry O'Brien 18.94 m
Weight throw Bob Backus 20.18 m
1 mile walk John Humcke 6:42.2

Women

Event Gold Silver Bronze
50 yards Wilma Rudolph 6.2
100 yards Martha Hudson 11.4
220 yards Lucinda Williams 26.6
440 yards Lillian Greene 63.4
880 yards Harriet Douthitt 2:36.3
70 yards hurdles Jo Ann Terry 9.7
High jump Ann Marie Flynn 1.54 m
Standing long jump Jo Ann Terry 2.71 m
Shot put Marjorie Larney 12.07 m
Basketball throw Amelia Wood 101 ft 81⁄2 in (31 m)

References

  1. ^ "UNITED STATES INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS (MEN)". GBR Athletics. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Delany's 4:02.5 Sets Mile Mark". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 22 Feb 1959. p. 97. Retrieved 23 Aug 2024.
  3. ^ "Delany, Thomas Pace AAU Record Parade". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 22 Feb 1959. p. 104. Retrieved 23 Aug 2024.
  4. ^ "UNITED STATES INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS (WOMEN)". GBR Athletics. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Cleveland Girls Run 1-2 in National AAU 880". The Plain Dealer. 25 Jan 1959. p. 52. Retrieved 4 Sep 2024.
Results

Notes

  1. ^ The top American and U.S. champion was Pete Close in 4th place.