Rolland Lee Romero (August 21, 1914 – November 25, 1975) was an American triple jumper. He was national champion in 1935 and competed in the 1932 and 1936 Summer Olympics.
 Romero at the 1936 Olympic Trials | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 21, 1914 Welsh, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | November 25, 1975 (aged 61) Welsh, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Height | 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 85 kg (187 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event(s) | Triple jump, long jump |
| Club | Loyola Wolfpack, New Orleans |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) | TJ – 15.36 m (1936) LJ – 7.56 m (1935)[1][2] |
Biography
editRomero was born in Welsh, Louisiana on August 21, 1914.[1] At Welsh High School he played football and competed in a variety of track and field events.[3] From the fall of 1931 he attended Loyola University New Orleans, receiving an athletic scholarship midway through his freshman year; originally, the 120 yard hurdles were his main event, but he dropped it soon due to awkward falls and turned to the triple jump.[3]
Romero developed rapidly; his season best in 1932 was 49 ft 10+1⁄4 in (15.20 m), the best jump by an American since Dan Ahearn in 1913.[3][4] At the 1932 United States Olympic Trials he was second behind Sidney Bowman with a jump of 48 ft 10+1⁄4 in (14.89 m), qualifying for the Olympics in Los Angeles.[5]: 75 Romero placed eighth at the Olympics, reaching 14.85 m (48 ft 8+1⁄2 in) on his best jump; as a 17-year-old, he was the youngest athlete on the American track team.[1][3]
Romero scored his only national championship title at the 1935 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) meet, jumping 50 ft 4+7⁄8 in (15.36 m) and breaking Ahearn's meeting record.[1][6] He set his personal best, 50 ft 8+3⁄4 in (15.46 m), in Houston on June 5, 1936.[7][8] Romero lost to newcomer Billy Brown at the 1936 AAU meet, but won with 49 ft 9 in (15.16 m) at the Olympic Trials the following week.[5]: 83–84 He qualified for the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, where he jumped 15.08 m (49 ft 5+1⁄2 in) and placed fifth; he was the best of the Americans.[5]: 84
Romero died on November 25, 1975.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Rolland Romero Bio, Stats and Results". Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
- ^ Rolland Romero. trackfield.brinkster.net
- ^ a b c d e "Rolland Romero". Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
- ^ "Men, Triple Jump: All Years". Track and Field Statistics. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
- ^ a b c Hymans, Richard (2008). "The History of the United States Olympic Trials – Track & Field" (PDF). USA Track & Field. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
- ^ Mallon, Bill; Buchanan, Ian; Track & Field News. "History of US Nationals Results: Triple Jump – Men". Track & Field News. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
- ^ "Rolland Romero". Track and Field Statistics. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
- ^ "Wallender Betters Olympic 200-Meter Mark". Abilene Morning Reporter-News. June 7, 1936. Retrieved November 28, 2015.