Norwood Barney Ewell

While in high school, Barney Ewell won the U.S. junior sprint title before going on to an outstanding career at Penn State, winning back-to-back NCAA 100-200m titles in 1940 and 1941. He also won both sprints at the IC4A meet for three consecutive years, from 1940 to 1942. Between 1939 and 1948, Ewell won six national sprint titles, three in the 100 meters and three in the 200 meters. After World War II prompted the cancellation of the 1940 and 1944 Olympics, Ewell finally got his opportunity to compete in the 1948 Games, at age 30. At the 1948 AAU championships, which served as the Olympic trials, Ewell tied the world record of 10.2 in the 100-meter dash and arrived in London as favorite in that event. Running in the final of the 100 meters, he thought he had won, only to learn that he had lost in a photo finish to teammate Harrison Dillard. In the 200, Ewell had another close finish and again placed second, this time to teammate Mel Patton. He was added to the 4x100m relay when Ed Conwell became sick and the U.S. raced to an easy victory. However, the exchange between Ewell and Lorenzo Wright was ruled out of the zone and the U.S. was disqualified. The ruling was later reversed, and Barney Ewell finally had his Olympic gold medal. During his track and field career, Ewell also excelled in the long jump, winning the event three times at the IC4A outdoor meet (1940-1942); twice at the IC4A indoor meet (1940 and 1942); and twice at the AAU indoor meet (1944-1945).

Records Held

World Record: 100 m - 10.20 (July 9, 1948 - )

Championships

1948 Olympics: 100 m (2nd)
1948 Olympics: 200 m (2nd)
1948 Olympics: 400 m relay (1st)
1944 AAU Indoors: Long Jump (1st)
1945 AAU Indoors: Long Jump (1st)
1948 AAU: 100 m - 10.20 (1st)
1940 NCAA: 100 m (1st)
1940 NCAA: 200 m (1st)
1941 NCAA: 100 m (1st)
1941 NCAA: 200 m (1st)

Occupations

Electrical company worker