This week’s episode of Kentucky Sports Memories focuses on four standout individuals who have left an indelible mark on high school track and field history in Kentucky. Those athletes are Sharon Ottens, Robin Gard, Maxine Graham and Jesse Stuart.
Sharon Ottens, a celebrated athlete from Webster County High School, set the high jump record for Class 2A in 1982. Her achievements resonate with a sense of pride and nostalgia as she reflects on her accomplishments, often humorously reminding her children of her athletic prowess. “I joke about that with my kids sometimes. I’m like, hey, I mean, maybe once or twice through the years, I’m like, guess what? Guess what? Your mom did,” Ottens shared, highlighting the lasting impact of her achievement.
Similarly, Robin Gard's remarkable high jump record for Class 3A is another . Gard’s exceptional talent was so formidable that she became a benchmark in the sport, with competitors often opting out of the high jump event to avoid facing her. “I would go into track meets and have people scratch out of the high jumps because I was there,” Gard reminisces, underscoring the level of respect and competition she commanded.
Maxine Graham, an athlete from Fleming County High School, set the long jump record for girls in 1975. Nearly five decades later, her record remains unbroken. “Records are made to be broken,” said Graham. While she is proud to still hold the long jump record, she never imagined it would remain unbroken 50 years later.
Jesse Stuart’s shot put record from 1969, also remains unbroken to this day. Stuart’s achievement reflects not only remarkable strength but also the enduring legacy of his athletic career. “Somebody needs to break it. It’s just been long enough, you know, that someone should have come,” Stuart observed, acknowledging the passage of time and the anticipation for new records.
Sharon Ottens, Robin Gard, Maxine Graham and Jesse Stuart exemplify the highest standards of athletic excellence, and their stories continue to inspire and captivate high school athletes across Kentucky.
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