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Willie Steele

2009 Hall of Fame Inductee

Basic Information

  • Gender: Male
  • Born: 6/14/1923
  • Status: Hall of Fame

Residences

  • Hometown: El Centro, California
  • High School: Herbert Hoover High School (San Diego, CA)
  • College: San Jose State College & San Diego State College

Athlete Info

  • Event: Outdoor Track & Field
  • Agent: N/A

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Recognized as the world's finest men's long jumper of the late 1940s, Willie Steele was the favorite to win at the 1948 Olympic Games. Despite a sore ankle that allowed him only two attempts, both of Steele's jumps were good enough to win the gold over the world's best. A two-time USA Outdoor champion, Steele was the 1948 Olympic Trials champion, a two-time NCAA long jump champion, was considered the world's best long jumper in 1942 and 1946, and was world ranked #1 by Track & Field. Steele died September 19, 1989.

Championships
1948 Olympic Games: Long Jump - 7.82 m (1st)
1948 Olympic Trials: Long Jump - 7.98 m (1st)
1946 AAU Outdoors: Long Jump - 7.32 m (1st)
1947 AAU Outdoors: Long Jump - 7.55 m (1st)
1948 NCAA Outdoors: Long Jump - 7.60 m (1st)
1947 NCAA Outdoors: Long Jump - 8.08 m (1st)

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