Tony Conkle (2005)
About Tony Conkle
Tony Conkle attended East Palestine High School where he was coached by Hall of Fame Coach Bill Ward. As a decathlete, Tony excelled in many different events. He won the State Meet in the Shot Put both in 1952 and 1953 and the 1953 effort set a State Meet record with a toss of 54’ 9”. He also placed 2nd in the Discus, 2nd in the 100 and 3rd in the 220. This was all run on a cinder track. In the 1953 State Meet, Mr. Conkle scored 17 points at a time when first place only received 6 points. This placed East Palestine third in the A Division (big school) and earned Tony the Castleman Award as the Outstanding Athlete in the State. He was further twice named the outstanding meet athlete at both the NEO District Meet and at the Columbiana County Meet. Mr. Conkle’s best efforts include 9.8 in the 100, 21.7 in the 220, 55’9” in the shot put, 149”10” in the discus, and 22”4” in the long jump shot put. While in college in 1961, Mr. Conkle threw the Shot 58” 3 1/2” which was a NAIA Small College record. He further tossed the Discus 161’ 11” and Long Jumped 23” 2 1/2”. This all-around athlete also ran the 100 yd. Dash in 9.7 and the 120 Hurdles in 14.9. In club competition, he threw the 16 pound shot put 59’ 3”.In later years, Mr. Conkle coached football, track, and volleyball including two years on the National Men’s volleyball staff. As a 66 yr.old powerlifter, he set four National and four World records including a 501 pound squat.
