Joel Braggs

Joel Braggs was a high-jumping sensation who generated newspaper headlines in the early 1970s as he set state records and joined the short list of the best high jump athletes in the world.

Braggs, a 1971 graduate of Tacoma's Lincoln High School, was the first high jumper in state history to clear seven feet (7' 1 1/4"). He did it May 15, 1971 at the Tacoma City League meet in Lincoln Bowl. "Joel's effort has to be the greatest track and field performance I've ever had," Lincoln coach Dan Watson said that day.

Braggs, who trained by wearing a weighted vest and jumping the steps in Lincoln Bowl, went on to win the state meet. He placed sixth at the National AAU meet and was invited to participate in the Olympic development program in preparation for the 1972 Summer Olympics. Braggs extended his best to 7' 2" in 1972, ranking fifth in the world at the time.

Braggs, who was born Jan. 14, 1953 in Tacoma, earned an athletic scholarship to Texas Southern and also attended Bellevue Community College.

Lincoln won the state meet in 1969, 1970 and tied for the title in 1971. In 1970, Braggs and Bethel's Bob Niehl each jumped 6' 71/4 at the state meet but Niehl was awarded the championship due to fewer misses. Earlier that season, Braggs was successful with a jump of 6' 9 1/4" which was the best height cleared in the state of Washington and ranked him in the top five in the nation among high school high jumpers.