This Day in Track & Field, January 23, Joie Ray wins Mile and half race at Millrose Games (1918), Curt Clausen sets 30k AR (2000), Born this Day: Coach Bob Larsen (1939)by Walt Murphy

Walt Murphy’s News and Results Service  (wmurphy25@aol.com), used with permission.

(c)Copyright 2025- all rights reserved. May not be reprinted or retransmitted without permission.

by Walt Murphy’s News and Results Service  (wmurphy25@aol.com)

This Day in Track & Field–January  23

1918—Future Hall-of-Famer Joie Ray (6:57.8) was a runaway winner of the Mile-and-a-Half at the Millrose Games, held at NY’s Madison Square Garden. It was the 2^nd of his 7 Millrose wins at the distance, which would eventually become the Wanamaker Mile in 1926.

With World War I still underway in Europe, several races were held for members of the U.S. Military, most notably the 1000-yard race (with a crowded field of 30!), which was won by another future Hall-of-Famer: the Army’s Abel Kiviat (2:24.2), the silver medalist in the 1500 meters at the 1912 Olympics.

(For Subscribers): https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1918/01/24/102660651.html?pageNumber=11

1960—Gary Gubner (DeWitt Clinton H.S., NY) set a U.S. High School Record of 63-0 (19.20) in the Shot Put at the St.Francis Prep Games at NY’s Armory. During his prep career, he was known for breaking light fixtures on H.S. gym ceilings.

He would become one of the world’s best shot-putters (ranked #2 in 1962) and weight-lifters.

The former NYU star won two NCAA titles (1963,1964) and was the 1962 U.S. Champion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Gubner

Sports Illustrated Vault

T&F News Rankings:

https://trackandfieldnews.com/mens-world-rankings-by-athlete-2/mens-world-shot-rankings-by-athlete/

1965–Junior Bill McClellon (DeWitt Clinton, NYC) cleared 6-10  ¼ (2.09) at the St.Francis Prep Games at NY’s Armory to set his 4^th National H.S. Indoor Record in the High Jump. McClellon’s series of records, all set at the Armory, rated as the #5 Greatest Moment in Armory History (Through 2007). He would set his 5^th (and final) Indoor Record when he cleared 6-11 at the beginning of his senior year.

He cleared 7’-0” outdoors at the 1965 U.S. Championships to become the first prep to top that barrier.

6-07  ¾            January 18, 1964  Cardinal Hayes Games (Previous record holder—John Thomas(!) 6-7  ½, 1958

6-08                 February 29, 1964  PSAL Championships

6-09  ½            December 12, 1964   Bishop Loughlin Games

6-10  ¼            January 23, 1965  St.Francis Prep…