World champ McBarnette to get major challenge at Boston

Got back from France last night. I did not bring my laptop with me so was incommunicato with email. I’m sure you saw the results, but they are misleading. I witnessed one of the best jumps I’ve ever seen anyone take and miss. Bruce McBarnette (after a little nudging from me) decided to try to break Z-Man’s supposedly untouchable record of 2.00 and forego yet another ho-hum American Record. He had been smoking every height. His first two attempts were what I would call “undisciplined” and were not close. I told anyone standing near me not to leave yet. Bruce has an uncanny habit of pulling rabbits out of hats on third attempts. Then it came. Fast approach, powerful lead leg and over he went. Only the bottom of his right calf nudged it off. Other than that it was a clean jump. Everybody was thunderstruck he got that close – including me. After consulting some of the other jumpers we concluded he would have probably cleared 1.99 or 2.00. Bruce now knows he can do it and barring injury he will. The outdoor record is “only” 1.98. I also believe we had the deepest M50 championships in history. My 1.81 clearance on second attempt would have garnered silver in M45. Jim

The M50 high jump at Clermont-Ferrand was quite exciting.
Bruce McBarnette, after he had won the event, was going to try and improve upon his existing American Record. However, upon the urging of Jim Barrineau, McBarnette decided to try and break the world record (2.00 meters) instead. The bar was set at 2.01 meters.
First two attempts were so-so. However, McBarnette’s third attempt was “oh so close.” Although he rattled the bar ever so slightly with his hamstring on the way down, it was his left heel that barely nipped the bar off.
Well, we all left in awe at McBarnette’s jumping. Barrineau said it best — “McBarnette is the real deal.”
BTW — Going to Boston?
Regards,
Here’s Bruce and his prize: