Lee Bartlett

Education

Lee Bartlett attended high school in Union City, Michigan. He didn"t take up the javelin until joining the track team at in 1926.

Career

The Hillsdale, Michigan native was a three-time Olympian. Representing the United States at the 1928, 1932 and 1936 Summer Olympic Games. The following year, Bartlett was runner-up at the United States Open (Amateur Athletic Union) Championships.

In 1930 and 1932, Bartlett was once again the National Amateur Athletic Union runner-up.

He also placed fifth at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Los Angeles Three years later, Bartlett took first place at the United States Olympic Trials, qualifying him for a berth to the 1936 Olympic Games.

Bartlett remained an active competitor in the javelin through the early 1940s. He very nearly became the first American to throw 240-feet (7315 meters) at a 1940 exhibition in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

After hanging up his javelin boots in 1942, Bartlett embarked upon a rewarding 30-year career as a teacher and athletic coach in Dearborn, Michigan.

On October 31, 1972, Lee Bartlett died at the age of 65. To this day, Lee Bartlett remains the only and MIAA athlete to compete in the Olympic Games. He was honored posthumously in 1989 with induction to the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Achievements

• Bartlett was twice Albion"s team captain and four times the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association javelin champion. His 1928 MIAA Field Day record was not bettered until 1969. During his junior year - in addition to competing in the Olympic Games - Bartlett won the 1928 National Collegiate Athletic Association championship, establishing a new National Collegiate Athletic Association and American Open record in the process. In 1933, Lee Bartlett won his first and only Amateur Athletic Union title in the javelin throw.