Tully, Joyner Recognized for Track Feats in 1987

Mike Tully of Encino, the 1984 Olympic silver medalist in the pole vault, has been ranked No. 8 in the world and No. 3 in the U. S. in the final 1987 ratings by Track and Field News.

Tully, 31, won the Pan American Games last year and raised his personal best to 19 feet, 1 1/2 inches, which ranks him fourth on the all-time U. S. list.

It was the fourth consecutive year and ninth in the past 13 that the 6-3, 190-pound Tully has been ranked in the world’s top 10. He was the nation’s top-ranked vaulter from 1977-79 and again in 1984. His highest world ranking came in 1977 and ’79 when he was second.

Al Joyner of Van Nuys, the 1984 Olympic gold medalist in the triple jump, was ranked fourth in the nation.

Joyner, 26, leaped a personal best of 57-6 in 1987 and placed fourth at The Athletics Congress championships. Joyner, the brother of Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the 1987 world champion in the heptathlon and long jump, ranks fourth on the all-time U. S. list.

Quincy Watts of Taft High, the 1987 state champion in the 100 and 200 meters, tied for 39th on the world list in the 200 with his 20.50 personal best.

Watts, 17, did not make the top 50 in the world at 100 meters, but his 10.30 best did rank him 31st on the national list.

Tully and Joyner are both scheduled to compete in the Sunkist Invitational at the Sports Arena on Jan. 22. Watts won’t run at Sunkist because he is currently playing for the Taft basketball team.