Ron Whitney Explained

Ronald Howard "Ron" Whitney (born October 5, 1942) is a retired American hurdler and sprinter. Known for his fast finish, he was sixth in the 400 m hurdles at the 1968 Summer Olympics.^[1] He had entered the race as one of the favorites,^[2] having been ranked #1 in the world in 1967 ^[3] and winning the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the event for the second time earlier that year.^[4] At the Olympics, his first heat victory established a new Olympic record, only to be surpassed by David Hemery two days later.

Previously he had been the Pan American Games champion in the same event.^[5] While working on his master's degree at Colorado State University, he was the 1967 Gold Medalist at the World University Games. He also had won bronze two years earlier^[6] and while competing for Occidental College, where he was coached by Jim Bush, was runner up at the NCAA Championships in 1963.

At Thomas Downey High School in Modesto, California,^[7] Whitney was the champion at the 1960 Golden West Invitational, the equivalent of a national champion, at 800 m,^[8] a week after finishing fourth in the CIF California State Meet in the same event.^[9]

Whitney continued to compete into masters age groups as a pioneer of masters athletics.^[10]

Whitney continues to be involved in the sport as head track and field coach at Santa Rosa Junior College.^[11] He is a member of the Mt. SAC Relays Hall of Fame and the Occidental College Hall of Fame.^[12]

Notes and References

1. Web site: UKA David Hemery . Ukathletics.org . September 21, 2012 . dead . https://archive.today/20110728141539/http://www.ukathletics.org/e-inspire/hall-of-fame-athletes/david-hemery/ . July 28, 2011 . mdy-all .
2. Web site: Greatest British Olympic Hurdlers . About Olympics . July 11, 2010 . September 21, 2012.
3. Web site: All-Time World Rankings – Men's 400 Hurdles . Trackandfieldnews.com . September 21, 2012.
4. Web site: Statistics – USA Outdoor Track & Field Champions . USATF . September 21, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080613121103/http://www.usatf.org/statistics/champions/USAOutdoorTF/men/m400mH.asp . June 13, 2008 . mdy-all .
5. Web site: Ralph Hickok . History – Pan American Games Track and Field Medalists – Men . HickokSports.com . November 26, 2011 . September 21, 2012 . dead . https://archive.today/20120730065538/http://www.hickoksports.com/history/panammtandf.shtml . July 30, 2012 . mdy-all .
6. Web site: Ron Whitney Biography and Olympic Results | Olympics at . https://web.archive.org/web/20200418103817/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/wh/ron-whitney-1.html . dead . 2020-04-18 . Sports-reference.com .
7. Web site: 2019-12-09 . Clutch Performers . 2023-12-05 . www.oxy.edu . en.
8. Web site: Past Champions : 13 Golden West : June : Results : Track : 2009 : DyeStatCal : The Internet Home of California High School Track, Field and Cross Country | DyeStatCal . Archive.dyestatcal.com . September 21, 2012.
9. Web site: California State Meet Results – 1915 to present . Hank Lawson . December 25, 2012.
10. Web site: U.S. Masters International Track Team – September 1978 . Mastershistory.org . September 21, 2012.
11. Web site: Santa Rosa Junior College . Santarosa.edu . August 13, 2004 . September 21, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121006061615/http://www.santarosa.edu/for_students/athletics/mens-track/ . October 6, 2012 . mdy-all .
12. Web site: Occidental : Occidental College Track and Field Hall of Fame . Oxyathletics.com . September 21, 2012.