The Inspiring Jesse Owen
Jessie Owens was a track and field Superstar. His real name was James Cleveland Owens and he was born on September 12, 1913 in Oakville, Alabama. His mom name was Emma and his dad was Alexander Owens. He was the seventh child in his family. At age nine his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio and it is where he got his name Jessie from. Jesse Owens new schoolteacher, “was told J.C. when she asked his name to enter in her roll book, but she thought he said, Jesse. The name stuck and he would be known as Jesse Owens for the rest of his life” (Jesse Owens, Olympic Legend, 2016). His dad was a sharecropper and his grandad was a slave.
In high school, Jessie set records in the 100, 200 yard dashes and the long jump while winning all of the major track events, even the State championship three years in a row. He wasn’t just a sprinter, but also excelled in field events as well. In Junior High School, Jesse cleared 6 feet in the high jump and had a broad jump of 22 feet 11 ¾ inches. He set a new world record in high school in the 220 yard dash. With all the records he was breaking and setting in high school, dozens of colleges recruited him. He chose Ohio State University to continue his track career even though they could not offer him a track scholarship. While in school he maintained numerous jobs to support his wife, Ruth. Jesse Owens worked as a waiter, night elevator operator, in the library and at the gas station. He continued to work while still on the track team and not missing any practice time.
During Big Ten Championship in 1935, Owens set the long jump record and tied the world record in the 100. He also set new records in the 220 yard dash and the 220 yard hurdles. All of these records were done in about 45 minutes which is one of the most amazing things an athlete can do. His first run, 100 yard dash was just supposed to be a test for his back, but once he tied the world record of...