MANY OLD TRACK RECORDS STAND FIRM AT COALDALE

(Lansford Evening Record, 1961)

Coaldale High over the past 34 years has seen only one new track record in the fifties for track. That record was set in 1954 in District 11 play by Robert Shubeck who threw the discus 134 feet, three inches.

An older record in the discus, which was heavier than the modern one, is 124 feet which was set by Mike Povalac in 1934.

Twelve records were set in the forties, all of them in 1941 and 1942. In the thirties six distances were shattered and in the twenties four were set. It has been since 1927 that the records are being kept.

The excellence of the older trackmen can be seen in the distances and times which have stood for some time. Many of these records have yet to be equaled by some of the other area teams. In fact, only a few of these times and distances have been equaled or bettered in the valley, most of them standing firm through the years.

There are only two records that have stood since 1927 and one of them is the 100-yard dash time of 10.1 set by Albert Laigon. He ran the 100 three times in 10.1 at Coaldale, Pottsville and Reading. He also holds the 220 mark of 23.1. In 1941 John Jabbo tied the 100-yard dash mark.

Another time that has been around a long time is the mile time of 4:48.1 which was set in 1928. John Korsak broad jumped 20 feet, eight and three-quarter inches in 1934.

The pole vault record has been standing since 1935 at 11 feet, nine inches. In ’38 Harold Parfitt tied the mark set by Ben Williams and in 1941 Howard Williams also cleared the bar at that height. Frank Priggins was the only other person to tie and he also did it in ’41.

Altogether there are 16 events in which there are records. Here is the complete list:

100-yard dash—10.1, Al Laigon, 1927, and John Jabbo, 1941.

220-yard dash—23.1, Al Laigon, 1927.

440-yard dash—51.8, Waice, 1942.

880—2:01.4, Waice, 1942.

Mile—4:48.1, Zulic, 1928.

110 Hurdles—13.6, Dan Panchura, 1941.

440 Relay—0.45 seconds; Jabbo, Rohall, Barnovich, Melley, 1941.

880 Relay—1.32.4; Rohall, Jabbo, Durilla, Melley, 1941.

Mile Relay—3:34.6; Barnovich, Durilla, Busavage, Waice, 1941.

Sprint Relay—2:08.2; Jabbo, Rohall, Waice, Barnovich, 1941.

High Jump—5 feet, 11 inches; Shuman, 1942.

Broad Jump—20 feet, 8 ¾ inches; John Korsak, 1934.

Pole Vault—11 feet, 9 inches; Ben Williams, 1935; Harold Parfitt, 1938; Howard Williams, 1941; Frank Priggins, 1941.< /o:p>

Shot Put—50 feet, 5 inches; Kuzman, 1935.

Javelin—178 feet, 2 ½ inches; Name?

Discus—124 feet, Mike Povalac, 1934, heavy discus; 134 feet, 3 inches, Robert Shubeck, 1954, light discus.