Don Pellmann poised to make history: first 100-year-old vaulter
Our old friend Don Pellmann has entered six events at the San Diego Senior Olympics. If he gets a mark in three of them, they are automatic world records. He turned 100 in mid-August. WMA lists no marks in the vault, high jump and long jump for his age group. My impression is that 91-year-old William Bell (Earl’s dad) is the oldest vaulter on record — at 91. He jumped at Olathe nationals in 2013. Don also could rewrite the record books in the 100, shot and discus. He’s done this before (seven WRs at a Colorado meet in 2005, when he was a pup of 90.) For more details on Don and his goals, see my story at Times of San Diego. Join me in wishing him godspeed!
Don Pellmann vaulted at age 90 in 2005. Any height would be an M100 record.
4 Responses
There was an older vaulter than William Bell. The previous 90-94 age group world record holder, the late, great Ralph Maxwell was older than Bell’s record age by a few months when he set his record.
DOB Record Age
Bell 03/19/1922 07/12/2013 91 yr 4 mo
Maxwell 11/26/1919 07/29/2011 91 yr 8 mo
Those vaults are the last that appear in Mastersrankings for Bell and Maxwell.
Bell’s record of 2.05 meters is one that seems difficult to surpass.
If Don Pellmann vaults at age 100, any height he clears will seem difficult to surpass.
Gook luck Don, I hope you make it.
If you do set a record, my new number one goal in track and field will be to surpass it. I guess I will be happy just to have a try at it.
Thanks, Roger! I thought of Ralph but didn’t go the extra mile. I’ll update story.
We all just hope we will still be competing at that age.
Very awesome … good luck ..
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