Jesse Owens Meets Expects Its Strongest Field

The Jesse Owens Classic, with 21 of 27 champions back to defend their titles, has drawn the best field in the four-year history of the event, meet officials say.

The roster for this year’s Owens, scheduled for this afternoon in Ohio Stadium, will include two members of the world record setting 1984 U.S. Olympic 400-meter relay team--Calvin Smith and Sam Graddy.

Smith holds the Owens meet record in the 200-meter dash of 20.45 and is the world record-holder in the 100 at 9.93.

“This is no doubt our finest field,” said meet Director Ron Althoff, “and the women’s field also is the toughest we’ve had in our four years.”

Among the top women who have committed to compete is Ohio State’s own Stephanie Hightower, the two-time defending champion in the 100-meter high hurdles and ranked No. 2 in the U.S. in that event.

Candy Young, a student at Fairleigh Dickinson and ranked No. 3, along with Tennessee’s LaVonna Martin, a former Ohio high school standout from Trotwood, will challenge Hightower.

Ten two-time champions are expected to compete, including Jud Logan, who has set a new American record in the hammer throw each of the past two years.

Others seeking their third consecutive Owens meet wins include Jim Heiring in the 5,000 meter race walk; Brian Whitehead in the high jump; Roger Kingdom in the 100-meter high hurdles, Kevin Akins in the discus; Tony Rambo in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles; Gordon Laine in the Long jump; Darlene Beckford in the 3000-meter run and Brad Pursley in the pole vault.