Dave Albritton

Medal record
Men’s Athletics
Competitor for  United States
Olympic Games
Silver	1936 Berlin	High jump

David Albritton
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 34th district
In office January 3, 1961-December 31, 1972
Preceded by	None (First)
Succeeded by	Ed Orlett
Personal details
Political party	Republican

Dave Albritton (David Donald Albritton; April 13, 1913 – May 14, 1994) had a long career that spanned three decades and numerous titles and was one of the first high jumpers to use the straddle technique. He was born in Danville, Alabama.

Albritton had a number of similarities with all-time great Jesse Owens. Both were born in Danville, Alabama; both attended East Technical High School in Cleveland, Ohio; both attended the Ohio State University; both were members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity; both competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.

As a sophomore at Ohio State, Albritton won the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship in 1936.

In 1936, Albritton and Cornelius Johnson both cleared 6-9 3/4 (2.07 m)to set a world record at the Olympic Trials, becoming the first blacks to hold the world record in the event. Albritton was second to Johnson at the 1936 Summer Olympics, with a height of 6' 6 3/4" (2.00 m). He claimed the silver medal in a jump-off after he and two other jumpers cleared the same height.

Albritton and Johnson were snubbed by Hitler when they went to collect their medals.

Albritton won or tied for seven National Amateur Athletic Union outdoor titles from 1936 to 1950. He was AAU outdoor champion in 1937, 1946, and 1947 and tied for three national collegiate titles, in 1938, 1945, and 1950.

Albritton would later became a high school teacher and coach. He served in the Ohio House of Representatives for six terms. In 1980, he was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame.

References

• Wallechinsky, David (2004). The Complete Book of the Summer Olympics, Toronto: Sport Classic Books. ISBN 1-894963-34-2
• USATF Hall of Fame
• Sports Reference

Records
Preceded by Walter Marty	Men's High Jump World Record Holder along with Cornelius Johnson 1936-07-12 – 1937-08-12	Succeeded by Melvin Walker

Persondata
Name	Albritton, Dave
Alternative names	Albritton, David Donald
Short description	American high jumper
Date of birth	April 13, 1913
Place of birth
Date of death	May 14, 1994
Place of death