Jay Silvester

Event: Discus

Inducted to Hall of Fame: 1979

Jay was one of the U.S.'s most consistent discus throwers through the '60s and '70s. He was a member of four Olympic teams. Unfortunately, his Olympic career overlapped with those of Al Oerter and Mac Wilkins, and he could claim only one Olympic medal.

Jay was the first thrower in history to pass the 60 meter mark, which he did on his first World Record throw of 60.56m (198-8). He broke the World Record four times, adding an astounding total of almost 30 feet to the record he first claimed from Rink Babka.

He won five Mt. SAC titles. The first four victories demonstrated amazing consistency, as all winning throws landed within 10 inches of each other. He broke out of this range in a big way on his final Relays' victory toss in 1972, adding almost 17 feet to his previous best Relays' throw.

1972 probably was the best year of Jay's career. He won his sixth national title, and claimed the silver medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics, losing the gold on a last throw effort by Ludvik Danek of Czechoslovakia.

Born: 1937

College: Utah State

• Discus:
  • 1960: 3rd, 188-8 1/2
  • 1961: 2nd, 192-5 1/2
  • 1963: 2nd, 197-4
  • 1964: 2nd, 195-0
    
  • 1965: 1st, 202-11 (61.84m)
  • 1967: 1st, 203-5 (62.00m)
  • 1968: 1st, 203-8 (62.08m)
  • 1970: 1st, 202-10 (61.82m)
  • 1971: 1st, 220-4 (67.16m)
  • 1972: 2nd, 212-0
  • 1973: 3rd, 207-0
  • 1975: 3rd, 200-11
  • 1976: no mark
• Shot:
  • 1961: 2nd, 61-1 3/4
  • 1965: 1st, 62-2 1/2 (18.96m)

• PR: 230-11 (70.38m)
• Broke World Record 4 times:
  • 1961: 198-8 (60.56m)
  • 1961: 199-2 (60.72m)
  • 1968: 218-4 (66.54m)
  • 1968: 224-5 (68.40m)
• Olympic Silver Medal, 1972
  • 208-4 (63.50m)
• Olympic 4th place finish, 1964
  • 193-10 (59.08m)
• Olympic 5th place finish, 1968
  • 202-8 (61.78m)
• Olympic 8th place finish, 1976
  • 203-4 (61.98m)
• U.S. National Champion:
  • 1961: 195-8
  • 1963: 198-11 1/2
  • 1965: 202-7 (2nd, 1st American)
  • 1968: 203-9
  • 1970: 205-4
  • 1972: 213-0