Posted: September 2, 2004

Athletics: Carter's prep shot put record named the 16th top moment in track and field of last 25 years

INDIANAPOLIS - Michael Carter's national high school record in the shot put set in 1979 was honored by USA Track & Field on Wednesday as the 16th greatest moment in U.S. track and field history in the last 25 years.

To help mark the 25th anniversary of USA Track & Field, fans joined USATF in selecting the Top 25 Moments in American Track & Field during the past quarter century. Fans voted for what they consider to be the top moments in the sports of track & field, long-distance running, and race walking by voting online at USATF's website, www.usatf.org.

The 1984 Olympic silver medalist in the shot put, Michael Carter set what many consider to be the single greatest mark ever by a high school athlete at the 1979 Golden West Invitational in Sacramento, Calif.

Carter won the men's shot put with a heave of 24.77 meters/81 feet 3.50 inches, which added more than 10 feet to the previous national prep record. No athlete since has come within five feet of Carter's mark, which still stands as the best ever.

A star thrower at Jefferson High School in Dallas, Tex., from 1977-79 Carter won three 4A state titles in the shot and one in the discus. Also known for his prowess as a football player, Carter was a three-time Pro Bowl nose tackle for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League, where he anchored a defense that helped San Francisco win three Super Bowls (1985, 1989 & 1990).

Suggestions for USATF's Top 25 Moments were taken through February 22, 2004. Fans voted for their favorite moments beginning February 28 and ending on June 20. The Top 25 Moments will be announced in reverse order, one per week, leading up to the USATF Annual Meeting in December, where the top three moments will be revealed.

For more information on USATF' Top 25 Moments, visit USATF.org.

USATF Top 25 Moments 
25. Jackie Joyner-Kersee breaks 7,000-point barrier in the heptathlon.
24. Khalid Khannouchi sets men's world marathon record in 2002.
23. Alan Webb sets U.S. boys' high school mile record.
22. Kevin Young breaks Edwin Moses' world record.
21. Lynn Jennings wins third World Cross Country title.
20. Alberto Salazar wins third consecutive New York City Marathon.
19. Flo-Jo sets women's 200m world record.
18. Gail Devers successfully defends Olympic 100m women's title.
17. Evelyn Ashford defeats two world record holders at 1979 World Cup.
16. Michael Carter sets national prep shot put record.