Nick Newton

Milton "Nick" Newton (November 6, 1933, in Tarboro, North Carolina, United States – March 31, 2018, in Palm Springs, California)^[1][2] was the inventor of the Newton Starting Blocks. Newton blocks are considered by many to be the best in the world,^{[3][failed verification]} used at many major track meets like the Mt. SAC Relays.^{[citation needed]}

Newton Starting Blocks

Starting blocks are the device sprinters use to hold their feet at the start of a race so they do not slip as they push out at the sound of the gun.

Using his experience as a tool and die maker for Waste King, Newton invented a cast aluminum block design^[4] as an improvement for his daughter Pam, who was excelling in girls' track. Newton's solid, but lightweight versions greatly improved on the flimsy or rusty old devices that had been standard equipment for decades.^[5] Obtaining his first patent in 1978 ^[6] Newton has subsequently patented two additional innovations^[7][8] to offer sprinters more possible settings to prepare for their start.

He became heavily involved as a mentor for the L.A. Mercurettes Track Club, an elite track club of the 1970s and 80's. In 1976, he joined Olympian John Carlos in an athletic delegation arranged by Henry Kissinger to the then segregated South Africa which was a step to the desegregation of athletics in that country.^{[citation needed]}

Athletic accomplishments

Newton had no experience in track and field as a child. In small town North Carolina, there was nothing like that. He was an unathletic, two pack a day smoker until his daughter got involved with track.^[9] He turned into a proficient Masters sprinter and high jumper, Newton was an early practitioner of the sport after turning 40 in the 1970s. He set many records even after surviving a battle with testicular cancer.^[10] He once held the World Record for the M45 400 metres and the M60 division High Jump.^[11] In 2004, he was elected into the Masters division of the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.^[12]

References

1. "Help honor Hall of Famer Nick Newton at a celebration May 22". masterstrack.com. 2010-04-23. Retrieved 2019-09-19.
2. Stone, Ken (April 1, 2018). "Nick Newton Dies at 84; Invented Aluminum Starting Blocks, Set Track Records".
3. "2013 Track Catalog" (PDF). VS Athletics. 2016-03-03. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2019-09-19.
4. "Elite Starting Block by Newton". OnlineSports.com. Retrieved 2019-09-19.
5. "Fastracks" (PDF). SC Striders. February 2006. Retrieved 2019-09-19.
6. "4089519 Starting block assembly – NEWTON, JR.; MILTON A." FPO IP Research & Communities. 1978-05-16. Retrieved 2019-09-19.
7. "4611803 Starting block assembly – NEWTON, JR.; MILTON A." FPO IP Research & Communities. 1986-09-16. Retrieved 2019-09-19.
8. "4561650 Tilt adjustable starting block – NEWTON, JR.; MILTON A." FPO IP Research & Communities. 1985-12-31. Retrieved 2019-09-19.
9. "WAVA Newsletter 4" (PDF). MastersHistory.org.
10. Clark, Etta (1995). Growing Old Is Not for Sissies 2: Portraits of Senior Athletes. Pomegranate Communications, Incorporated. p. 53. ISBN 978-0-87654-478-5.
11. "High Jump ALL-TIME Rankings". Masters Athletics. Retrieved 2019-09-19.
12. "Masters Hall of Fame". USATF. Retrieved 2019-09-19.