Joy Upshaw makes dad, and all of us, proud of her silver in 300H

Joy applauds long, tall Barbara after 300H WR.

Joy applauds long, tall Barbara after 300H WR. Photo by Alan Kolling

Joy Upshaw’s dad, Monte, long-jumped 25-4 1/4 for Piedmont High School in 1954, breaking the national high school record set by a gent named Jesse Owens. Less well-known: Monte beat future Olympic decathlon legend Rafer Johnson in the 180-yard low hurdles in that same California state meet (but losing to Rafer in the 120 highs). Tuesday in Lyon, W50 Joy took silver in the 300 hurdles to Germany’s Barbara Gaehling, whose 44.90 broke the listed WR of 45.05 by Swiss miss Christine Müller in 2008. Barbara’s time is amazing, but Joy (at 54 among the oldest in the field) gives pause with her 49.03 — and the fact she’d been hobbled by injury this season and was the No. 8 qualifier for the Lyon final. The W55 American record is 49.14 by Phil Raschker and the WR is 49.00 by Britain’s Jane Horder, so watch out for a healthy Joy in Perth!

Rob Jerome's stunning shot of Joy Upshaw in the 300 hurdles at Lyon.

Rob Jerome’s stunning shot of Joy Upshaw in the 300 hurdles at Lyon.

Also congrats to W30 Chaunte Lowe, who jumped at Jax but failed to get an automatic IAAF Beijing qualifying mark. Turns out IAAF needed more ladies to fill out the field, and they extended an invitation to Chaunte.

So this is likely a first: going from masters nationals to IAAF worlds in the same summer! Go get ’em, Chaunte!

Chaunte Lowe wins at 6-3 1/4 (1.91) in 2015 USA Championshipsat Hayward Field.

Chaunte Lowe wins at 6-3 1/4 (1.91) at 2015 nationals at Hayward Field.

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August 12, 2015

3 Responses

  1. George Patterson - August 13, 2015

    Congrats Joy, What heck of a job by one heck of a lady.

    G

  2. Matt B. - August 13, 2015

    Great job Joy! Amazing. Surely records will fall next year.

  3. chip upshaw - August 13, 2015

    Way to go Joyful! I’m so happy for you =)

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