Sinclair won state titles in two events

If you’re a track and field athlete or fan in the Lorain County area, then the name Norris Sinclair should ring a bell. If it doesn’t, then take this opportunity to learn about him. Why? Sinclair, who attended Lorain High, became the first state track champion in Lorain County in 1915, winning the 220 low hurdles (26.4) and set an Ohio record winning the 120 high hurdles in 16.4

seconds. He also finished as a runner-up in the long jump and helped his team to a third place at state.

Sinclair died in 1974, but he will get his due on May 4, as he will be inducted into the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame at DeLuca’s Place in the Park.

Terry King, who is in the Hall of Fame as an athlete and serves on the committee, will be Sinclair’s liaison at the ceremony.

“He has to be one of the best athletes to ever come out of Lorain,” King said. “Winning two state championships and set the record in one.

“In today’s society, he can probably win a state title by himself. I just figured he was an outstanding candidate for our organization.”

To this day, Sinclair is one of only two athletes in the 100-year history of Lorain High track to win dual state titles at the same meet. He was also a multi-sport athlete, lettering in football and basketball.

After a phenomenal high school career, Sinclair went to the University of Wisconsin, where he won the Inter-College track meet low hurdles. But his collegiate career didn’t last long, as he joined the U.S. Army before his sophomore year and was assigned to an artillery unit where his battalion fought in the second Battle of the

Marne in World War I.

Once the war was over, Sinclair stayed in France to become a drummer. In 1919, he returned to college, attending Ohio State and graduated in 1923, and after that, played with the Dick Fiddler Orchestra around Ohio and the Midwest into the early 1930s. Sinclair married and lived in Cincinnati until he moved to Marietta, Georgia.

His accomplishments don’t end there.

Sinclair eventually became a sail boat racer, and was ultimately featured on the front page of the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times and the cover of the Yachting Magazine in 1956.

Sinclair was so good, he was nicknamed “Old Goat” and a sailing regatta was named after him, where the first place trophy is titled the N.A. Sinclair Cup.

It isn’t clear whether any members of Sinclair’s family, who live in Georgia, will be at the ceremony to represent him, but King added that his family is beyond excited for the induction.

“His son is especially excited,” King said. “He’s almost 80 years old and he was totally excited for his dad getting in.”

The Lorain Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet will be May 4 at DeLuca’s Place in the Park. Ticket information can be obtained by contacting Ron Feldkamp (440-2443449) or Tom Bauer (440282-4624, tbauer@bright. net).