Paul Jessup (athlete)
American athletics competitor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paul Boulet Jessup (September 23, 1908 – October 27, 1992) was an American discus thrower and shot putter. He set a discus world record in 1930 and was a leading favorite for the 1932 Summer Olympics, but only placed eighth in the Olympic final.[1]
Jessup in 1930 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 23, 1908 |
| Died | October 27, 1992 (aged 84) Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Height | 198 cm (6 ft 6 in) |
| Weight | 97 kg (214 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
Event(s) | Shot put, discus throw |
| Club | WAC, Seattle |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) | SP – 15.44 m (1930) DT – 51.73 m (1930)[1][2] |
Career
Competing for the University of Washington Huskies, Jessup placed fourth at the 1929 NCAA Championships in both the shot and the discus.[1] He was also the captain of the Washington football team, playing offensive tackle and defensive center.[3][4] Jessup improved further in 1930, setting his personal bests that year.[1] In an early dual meet against Stanford University, he threw the discus 48.23 meters (158 ft 2+7⁄8 in) and was only narrowly beaten by Stanford's world record holder Eric Krenz.[5] At the 1930 NCAA Championships Jessup went one better by surprisingly beating Krenz;[6] nevertheless, Krenz was selected by coaches as top All-American ahead of Jessup.[7]
Jessup won his first national championship in the discus in August 1930, beating Krenz's world record in the process with a throw of 51.73 meters (169 ft 7+7⁄8 in).[1][2][8][9] This record lasted until 1934, when it was beaten by Sweden's Harald Andersson.[10] Jessup repeated as national champion in 1931.[1][9]
Jessup showed consistent form in early 1932[11] and was considered the leading favorite for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles,[3][11][12] as his main rival, Krenz, had drowned in a boating accident in August 1931.[12][13][14] However, 1928 Olympian John Anderson displaced him as the national leader at the Eastern Tryouts.[15] At the final Olympic Trials Jessup placed second, behind Anderson.[15][16] Anderson went on to win the gold medal at the Olympics, while Jessup had an off day, only managing 8th with a throw of 45.25 m (148 ft 4 in).[1][15]
