Hal Connolly

Event: Hammer

Inducted to Hall of Fame: 1979

Hal was America's most successful hammer thrower. In addition to winning an Olympic gold medal, he broke the world record six times, adding almost 13 feet to the previous record.

Hal was the first American thrower to break the 200 foot barrier. He raised the American record 12 times, adding almost 38 feet over a 10 year span. Hal also captured nine national championships, breaking the world record for the second time while winning the 1958 title.

Hal was an early supporter of the Relays, capturing the hammer title at the first four editions of the meet. He returned in 1970 to win his fifth Relays championship.

Born: 1931

• 1959: 1st, 215-4 (65.64m)
• 1960: 1st, 225-0 1/2 (68.58m)
• 1961: 1st, 220-8 (67.26m)
• 1962: 1st, 226-0 1/2 (68.88m)
• 1965: 2nd, 220-11
• 1966: 2nd, 218-5
• 1968: 2nd, 212-4
• 1969: 2nd, 214-10
• 1970: 1st, 221-9 (67.58m)
• 1972: 2nd, 217-1
• 1975: 8th, 193-4

• PR: 233-9 1/2 (71.26m)
• Broke World Record 6 times:
  • 1956: 224-10 (68.54m)
  • 1958: 225-4 (68.68m)
  • 1960: 230-8 1/2 (70.33m)
  • 1962: 231-10 1/2 (70.67m)
  • 1965: 233-2 (71.06m)
  • 1965: 233-9 1/2 (71.26m)
• Broke American Record 12 times:
  • 1955: 195-10 1/2 (59.70m)
  • 1955: 197-1 3/4 (60.09m)
  • 1955: 201-5 1/4 (61.39m)
  • 1955: 206-10 (63.04m)
  • 1955: 209-7 (63.88m)
  • 1956: 218-10 1/2 (66.71m)
  • 1956: 224-10 1/2 (68.54m)
  • 1958: 225-4 (68.68m)
  • 1960: 230-9 (70.33m)
  • 1962: 231-10 (70.67m)
  • 1965: 233-2 (71.06m)
  • 1965: 233-9 1/2 (71.26m)
• Olympic Gold Medal, 1956
  • 207-3 (63.18m)
• Olympic 8th place finish, 1960
  • 208-7 (63.58m)
• Olympic 6th place finish, 1964
  • 218-8 (66.65m)
• U.S. National Champion:
  • 1955: 199-8
  • 1956: 205-10 1/2
  • 1957: 216-3
  • 1958: 225-4 (WR)
  • 1959: 216-10
  • 1960: 224-4 1/2
  • 1961: 213-6 1/2
  • 1964: 226-5 1/2
  • 1965: 232-1