Stones, Dwight E.
Track and Field
b. Dec. 6, 1953, Los Angeles, CA
Stones had the second best interscholastic high jump of 7 feet, 11/2 inches when he was a senior in high school. A year later, he won the 1972 U. S. Olympic trials with a jump of 7-3. He matched that at the Olympics, but it was only good for a bronze medal.
After spending a year at UCLA, Stones went to Long Beach State University. He set a world record of 7-6 5/8 on July 11, 1973, and improved that to 7-7 in the 1976 NCAA outdoor finals.
A favorite going into the 1976 Olympics, Stones encountered problems. He never liked rain and he criticized the new retractable-domed stadium in Montreal because the dome wouldn't close completely and the high jump area was wet. Obviously bothered by the weather and by the boos of Montreal fans, who resented his criticism, Stones cleared only 7-4 and had to settle for the silver medal.
Just four days after the Olympics, Stones set his third and last world record with a jump of 7-7 1/4. He continued competing until 1979, when he was suspended for taking money in the televised Superstars event. After a brief comeback in 1983, Stones retired after failing to make the 1984 Olympic team.
Stones was the AAU high jump champion in 1973, 1974, from 1976 through 1978, and in 1983. He won the NCAA indoor and outdoor titles in 1976.
Since his retirement, he has been a regular television commentator on track and field. He also operates a camp for the sport and conducts motivational and training programs.