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Personalities

 

    Harry Mehock

    Founder of Mansfield Relays

    Track and Field Coaching Legend

 

    Track and field coach Harry Mehock put Mansfield's track program on the map to stay in 1927 when he started the Mansfield Relays.  In the beginning, the Relays were a modest success.  But that changed in the 1930's when a young Cleveland track star came to town for the event.  A few years later, this athlete won a gold medal in the 1936 Berlin Olympics much to the chagrin of Adolph Hitler.  Yes, Jesse Owens ran in Mansfield before he ran in Berlin

 

    Mehock also had many successes as a track coach.  His 1945 squad won the state championship and many of his athletes won individual state titles. 

 

    Coach Mehock died on March 23, 1970, just two weeks prior to the 39th Mansfield Relays.  Today this meet is known as the Mehock Relays.  Athletes from all over the United States and Canada perform each year in this event.