Bruce McBarnette isn’t shy about tooting his horn. But when you leap like him, it’s hard to be quiet. On Saturday, Bruce broke Keith Nelson’s M45 American record in the high jump of 1.98 (6-6) by clearing the magical 2-meter barrier (6-6 3/4) at the Southeastern Masters Track and Field Championships at Duke University. After topping 2.0, which tied the world age-group record of Asko Pesonen of Finland, he went for 2.05 (6-8 3/4) but missed all three attempts.

In reply to an email query, Bruce says he opened at 1.80 (5-10 3/4), clearing on his first try. Then he made 1.85 (6-0 3/4) on his first try, 1.90 (6-2 3/4) on his second try, 1.95 (6-4 3/4) on his first try and the record 2.0 on his first attempt. Very efficient series.
Bruce also wrote me: “Below is a press release. Doing this felt great especially considering I have not done it since 2001 and my other performances in 2006 have been (in order) 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 196, 195.”
Bruce also replied to my question on his potential showdown at Charlotte nationals with M45 Dennis Lewis, who cleared a world record 2.04 (6-8 1/4) indoors in February.
Bruce wrote:
“Dennis would obviously be the favorite since he has recently jumped the best indoor or outdoor height. Hopefully, I can make the meet interesting for him. I will be organizinig some tours of Grandfather Mountain and Charlotte on Aug. 7, after the meet, for all interested athletes. I will let you know about them.”
Here’s what Bruce says in his press release:
Attorney from Virginia sets new American Record in the High Jump for his age group.
Bruce McBarnette, 48, set a new American record in the outdoor high jump for 45-49 year olds at the Southeastern Masters Track and Field Championships held at Duke University Saturday May 6th. He jumped 6 feet 6 3/4 inches (2.00 meters).
McBarnette, an attorney, has broken the world indoor record for his age group several times and has won 3 world championships for his age group, including the most recent World Masters Championships in Linz, Austria last March. He has also won 14 national championships, including the most recent in Boston, MA last March. His best performance is 7 feet 1 inch.
In addition to track and field, McBarnette is an actor and had roles on TV shows such as West Wing, The Wire, Law and Order, and on movies such as Ladder 49, Along Came the Spider, Contact, Deep Impact, and Jackel. Also as a philanthropist, he has hosted events benefiting hurricane victims and other charitable causes at the Embassies of Finland, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Austria, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, and the Czech Republic.
McBarnette, a graduate of Princeton University and New York University Law School, was a former legal counsel to the United States Senate, a former senior counsel for Fannie Mae, and a former Judge Advocate attorney for the US Army.
In addition, meet announcer Pete Taylor reports:
“Nice response from the athletes and the small group of spectators (to Bruce’s jumps). Oscar Peyton (M50) was unreal in the 200, scorching a 23.30. Lesley Chaplin-Swann (W45) was impressive in the mile and 800 but failed to break the American marks. Mike Brown threw the javelin at least 68.68 meters (about 225 feet). There were still 4 pole vaulters alive at 13 feet when I walked away. Roger Pierce and Frank Schiro looked terrific in the sprints.”