McCants and Carter Set American Record in High Jump at Owens Meet

Tom McCants and Jerome Carter set a new American record in the high jump Sunday by clearing 7 feet 9 inches in the sixth annual Jesse Owens track and field meet at Columbus, Ohio.

The old record was 7-8 1/2, set by Jim Howard of the Pacific Coast Club in 1985.

McCants, of the University of Alabama, cleared the height on his second try, while Carter, from Edgewood, Md., missed on his first two tries before tying McCants.

Neither McCants nor Carter made an attempt at a higher height, and McCants was awarded the win on fewer misses. The world record is 7-11, set last year by Patrik Sjoberg of Sweden.

Another American record was set in the women’s shotput by Ramona Pagel of San Diego. Her winning throw of 64-2 1/2 broke her own record of 63- 3/4, set in 1987.

Butch Reynolds, who ran the fastest 400 meters at sea level a year ago at this meet with a time of 44.10 seconds, won his specialty for the third straight year in 45.55. His brother, Jerry, was second in 45.87.