Career
He competed at the 1987 World Championships without reaching the final. Balkin holds the school record in the high jump at Glendale High School in Glendale, California. At the 1979 CIF California State Meet, Balkin jumped 7" 3½" which is still the state meet record.
Balkin later attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where he again surpassed Stones and is the number two high jumper on the school"s top ten list.
Even while still jumping competitively, Balkin started coaching jumpers as an assistant coach at Glendale Community College. He remains there as both coach and teacher.