Lee Casey

Levi Casey’s triple jump silver medal was the only American Olympic medal in that event between 1906 and 1976. Casey of Cal State (LA) and the Los Angeles AC, won the AAU three straight years starting in 1926. In 1930 he marginally improved his career best to 49-9¼ in winning the Central Association Championships in Chicago and one week later, representing the Illinois AC, he won his fourth AAU title. At the 1932 Final Trials, Casey placed third, but was surprisingly not selected for the Olympic team. Casey gave his silver medal to his girlfriend Ruth, and told her to keep it when they split up. More than a decade after Casey’s death, Ruth’s daughter started a search, found the medal in a safe deposit box, and returned it to Casey’s family.

Personal Best: TJ – 15.18 (1930).