November 17, 1935-April 24, 2022

Gerald “Jerry” Vaughn was a Charlotte, North Carolina athlete who has made a name for himself in the Master’s shot putting world. He currently has one World Record and two American Records in the 70-74 Age-Group, and has top three age-group placements in 268 consecutive meets since 1994.  Six in 2020.  And he’s our dad. His peaceful passing was attended by his wife and his 5 children on April 24, 2022.

Jerry was proud of his athletic determination and success, so we will maintain this site in his memory. A full accounting of his accomplishments outside the athletic world during his lifetime would require several additional websites, so we shall hold those in our memories.

Several serious medical conditions have effected Jerry’ shot put performances. In 2011 he was diagnosed with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia. In addition, a third and unsuccessful right knee surgery and severe sciatica took him out of circulation for a period. Although unable to attend meets in 2013, he continued medical treatment and to work hard on his fitness programs. In 2014 his physical condition had improved enough for him to start practicing the shot put and compete once more.   He subsequently was able to stage a come-back and win the 2014 USATF Masters National Outdoors Championships and the 2015 USATF Masters National Indoor Championships. In 2016 he won both the USATF Masters National Indoor Championships and the USATF Masters National Outdoor Championships.

As his impressive record of performance continued to grow, we kept a comprehensive account of his athletic accomplishments since he returned to athletics, 37 years after he left the field in college.  We hope that his legacy inspires other senior athletes.

Jerry is the first USATF Masters and WMA athlete in the 70+ age-group to break the 15 meter/50 feet barrier with the 4K shot put –both indoors and outdoors. This distinction is forever his. Fifteen years later, he still holds the American indoor/outdoor and World indoor records for the 70-74 age-group. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masters_M70_shot_put_world_record_progression

Other National/International age-group championships include:

• Huntsman World Senior Games, (10/10/2000)
• CMMA Track and Field Championships, Saint John, NB (7/28/07) (still holds record)
• North, Central America and Caribbean WMA/USATF Masters Championships (8/28/08) (still holds record)
• Five National Senior Games (two currents records)

Championships and records closer to home:

• Carolinas Track and Field Club
  • Eleven Invitational/Queen City Championships
  • Five Invitational age-group records
  • Eighteen Winston-Salam Throwers Victories (Hanes Park)
• North Carolina Senior Games
  • Fifteen Championships
  • Four age-group current records
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Senior Games
  • Fifteen Championships
  • Six consecutive current age-group records
• Three Powerade State Games of North Carolina (6/28/03 and 6/8/14) (records not available)
• Southeastern Masters Regional Outdoor/Indoor Championships
  • Fourteen Championships, (Two Current Records)
  • Three Indoor

Best recorded throw: 7/15/06 Winston-Salem Throwers Meet: 15.96 m (52 ‘ 4 ½ “), age-group 70-74.                                                                                                                                                       (Not a USATF Masters sanctioned meet; however, throw observed and measured with steel tape by two USATF certified officials.)

• Competed in 268 consecutive track and field meets in six different age-groups, placing:
  o First—240
  o Second—24
  o Third—4
• Competed in:
  • 30 States
  • International Meets in Puerto Rico, Canada, and Florida
  • 1st Masters Thrower’s exhibition meet at a USATF National Indoor Championship, March 3, 2011.

Now 85 Years Old, Gerald Vaughn has earned a number of Awards and Recognitions including: 

• USATF Masters Hall of Fame,  2009
• Special Achievement Award:  Peninsula Sports Club, Newport News, VA 60th Annual Headliners Night, June 22, 2009
• USATF Masters Male Field Athlete of the Year, 65-69, 2001
• USATF Masters Male Field Athlete of the Year, 65-69, 2004
• USATF Masters Honorable Mention Athlete of the Year, Men 60+, 2007.