Paul Jessup (athlete)

Competing for the University of Washington Huskies, Jessup placed fourth at the 1929 NCAA Championships in both the shot and the discus.[1] He was also the captain of the Washington football team, playing offensive tackle and defensive center.[3][4] Jessup improved further in 1930, setting his personal bests that year.[1] In an early dual meet against Stanford University, he threw the discus 48.23 meters (158 ft ​2 ⁷⁄₈ in) and was only narrowly beaten by Stanford's world record holder Eric Krenz.[5] At the 1930 NCAA Championships Jessup went one better by surprisingly beating Krenz;[6] nevertheless, Krenz was selected by coaches as top All-American ahead of Jessup.[7]

Jessup won his first national championship in the discus in August 1930, beating Krenz's world record in the process with a throw of 51.73 meters (169 ft ​7 ⁷⁄₈ in).[1][2][8][9] This record lasted until 1934, when it was beaten by Sweden's Harald Andersson.[10] Jessup repeated as national champion in 1931.[1][9]

Jessup showed consistent form in early 1932[11] and was considered the leading favorite for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles,[3][11][12] as his main rival, Krenz, had drowned in a boating accident in August 1931.[12][13][14] However, 1928 Olympian John Anderson displaced him as the national leader at the Eastern Tryouts.[15] At the final Olympic Trials Jessup placed second, behind Anderson.[15][16] Anderson went on to win the gold medal at the Olympics, while Jessup had an off day, only managing 8th with a throw of 45.25 m (148 ft 4 in).[1][15]