Randy Barnes Biography

St. Albans High School / (Class of 1985) St. Albans, West Virginia

Classification: AAA Boys

Specialty: Shot Put & Discus

Texas A&M University / (Class of 1989)

 

Eric Randolph "Randy" Barnes (born June 16th, 1966) is an American former shot putter who holds both the current outdoor and indoor world records for the event. He won silver at the 1988 Olympics and gold at the 1996 Olympics. As of 2017, both of Barnes's records still stand. Only one thrower has been within 60 centimeters (24 in.) of the outdoor record in the last 10 years. Barnes was banned for 27 months in 1990 for anabolic steroid usage, before he received a lifetime ban in 1998 after testing positive for androstenedione.

 

Biography

Barnes was born in Charleston, West Virginia, grew up in nearby St. Albans, and began throwing shot put in high school. In 1985, he threw an impressive 20.36 meters (66.8 ft.) with the prep shot of 5.4 kilograms (12 lb.). After graduating from St. Albans High School in 1985, he attended Texas A&M University where he broke school records (set by Randy Matson) with a throw of 21.88 meters (71.8 ft.) with the 7.26 kilograms (16.0 lb.) full size shot. While at A&M, Randy worked with hall of famer conditioning coach, Istvan Javorek.

He went to the 1988 Seoul Olympics where he threw 22.39 meters (73.5 ft.) and earned a silver medal at only 22. He came second to Ulf Timmermann of East Germany, who threw 22.47 meters (73.7 ft.).  On January 20th, 1989, he set a new indoor world record at the Sunkist Invitational in Los Angeles with a throw of 22.66 meters (74.3 ft.), which was better than his outdoor personal best at the time.

On May 20th, 1990, he broke Ulf Timmermann's outdoor record with a put of 23.12 meters (75.9 ft.). Barnes was banned from competing for 27 months after testing positive for the anabolic steroid methyl testosterone at a competition in Malmφ, Sweden on August 7th that same year. He sued to have the suspension overturned, but lost. Due to the suspension, he was unable to compete in the 1992 Olympics.

At the 1996 Olympic Games, Barnes won the gold medal that eluded him 8 years earlier with a come-from-behind 21.62 meters (70.9 ft.) throw on his final attempt. In 1998, he tested positive for androstenedione, an over-the-counter supplement (famously used by baseball player Mark McGwire) that is banned in track and field. Although Barnes claimed he didn't know androsten was banned, he was suspended from competition for life.

Barnes later became a long driving competitor, competing to hit a golf ball as far as possible; he qualified for the 2005 World Long Drive Championship.

 

World Records:

Barnes is the current world record holder for both the indoor and outdoor Shot Put.

(Outdoor)

 Randy Barnes - 23.12 m (75ft. 10in.) - Westwood, Los Angeles, California, USA - May 20th, 1990

(Indoor)

Randy Barnes - 22.66 m (74ft. 4in.) - Los Angeles, California, USA               - January 20th, 1989

 

High School:

As of May 2017, Randy Barnes still holds state meet records for the Shot Put (61ft. 7in. - 1984) and Discus Throw (181ft. 7in. - 1985) for AAA boys. Since 1985, Barnes has held the state record for the Shot Put with a throw of 66ft. 9.5in. at the Gazette Relays at Laidley Field.

 

(Shot Put / State Meet All-Class All-Time Top Ten)                                              

1. 1984 - Randy Barnes - St. Albans - 61'7

2. 2015 - Christian Buckley – Poca - 61'1 1/2

3. 2016 - Nathan Stout – Gilmer - 59'8 1/4

4. 2014 - Christian Buckley – Poca - 59'7 1/2

5. 1985 - Randy Barnes - St. Albans - 59'4 1/2

6. 1976 - John Leon – Brooke - 59'1

7. 2008 - Eric Myers – Sissonville - 58'7 1/4

8. 1978 - Randy Cebula – Weir - 58'6

9. 1976 - Mike Miller – Charleston - 58'0

10. 1970 - Chuck Wright – Huntington - 57'7 3/4

 

(Shot Put / State Meet - AAA Boys All-Time Top Ten)                                        

1. 1984 - Randy Barnes - St. Albans - 61'7

2. 1985 - Randy Barnes - St. Albans - 59'4 1/2

3. 1976 - John Leon – Brooke - 59'1

4. 1978 - Randy Cebula – Weir - 58'6

5. 1976 - Mike Miller – Charleston - 58'0

6. 1970 - Chuck Wright – Huntington - 57'7 3/4

7. 2009 - Cole Bowers - Cabell Midland - 57'3 1/4

8. 1999 - Erik Shuma - Wheeling Park - 57'2

9. 1976 – Potter - St. Albans - 56'11

10. 1981 - Dave DeJarnett - G. Washington - 56'10 Ό

 

(Discus / Sate Meet All-Class All-Time Top Ten)                                   

1. 1985 - Randy Barnes - St. Albans - 181'7

2. 2015 - Christian Buckley – Poca - 180'9

3. 2011 - Mark Britton - Ritchie - 177'9

4. 2008 - Eric Myers – Sissonville - 176'7

5. 1993 - Phil Fazzini - Wheeling Park - 175'5

6. 1957 - Bill Fields – Parkersburg - 175'0

7. 2014 - Christian Buckley – Poca - 174'4

8. 2016 - Cody Mitchell - Point Pleasant - 173'6

9. 2002 - Matt Morris - Woodrow Wilson - 173'5

10. 1984 - Randy Barnes - St. Albans - 171'8

 

(Discus / State Meet - AAA Boys All-Time Top Ten)                            

1. 1985- Randy Barnes - St. Albans - 181'7

2. 1993 - Phil Fazzini - Wheeling Park - 175'5

3. 1957 - Bill Fields – Parkersburg - 175'0

4. 2016 - Cody Mitchell - Point Pleasant - 173'6

5. 2002 - Matt Morris - Woodrow Wilson - 173'5

6. 1984 - Randy Barnes - St. Albans - 171'8

7. 1993 - Kevin Sowers – Hedgesville - 169'7

8. 1983 - Eddie Bryant - Lincoln - 169'6

9. 1970 – McQuaid – Charleston - 167'7

10.2016 - Hunter Hicks - Cabell Midland - 167'5

 

Personal:

·         Son of Ralph and Mary Lou Barnes

·         Born June 16th, 1966

·         Was married to Cheryl Parsons Barnes

·         Has two daughters Brooke and Erica Barnes

·         Currently lives in South Charleston, West Virginia

·         Graduated from Texas A&M University / (Class of 1989) College Station, Texas

·         Worked at IBM from 2000 to 2013

 

Compiled by Mike McMillion (Last updated 5/24/17)