John Ross

John Ross: A True Original

By Shannon Hartnett (Four-time Highland Games World Champion)

(Reprinted with permission from MILO, A Journal for Serious Strength Athletes, Vol. 7, Number 3, December 1999.)

He is tall and slender. His legs are long and lean and muscular. He has a strong expressive face, a face with strength and character. Yet standing 6' 3" and 200 pounds soaking wet, he would hardly be considered one of the "heavies."

At least part of John Ross' success could be attributed to his powers of concentration and diligence. While other kids were out cruising and partying, John and his friends were training like animals; he and his brother Mike and two of their friends formed the Marvel Lifting Club in the Rosses' garage. They bought an Olympic weight set from the York Barbell Company. They soon began holding lifting competitions with other clubs in the North Bay area of California.

One day in the 1950s they got word that Paul Anderson was visiting Santa Rosa as part of a tour and wanted to do a weightlifting exhibition prior to his wrestling match. The Ross boys had the only Olympic set in the county and were thrilled when Mr. Anderson stopped by.

John Ross was born in Portland, Oregon, but grew up in Petaluma, California. His throwing career began early in life, as he competed in the pentathlon as a sixth grader. In middle school and high school he competed in track and field, running the 100- and 200-yard dash as well as excelling in throwing events, setting many records. He was not a successful sprinter, however, so during his tame at Santa Rosa Junior College, he continued only with the discus and shop put, where he won consistently.

In 1957, John transferred to San Jose State University where he trained under Olympic coach Bud Winter, focusing on the decathlon. He competed in decathlon events with such greats as Russ Hodge and Bill Toomey, who later won the gold medal in Mexico City. In 1960 Ross competed in the Olympics trials against the eventual winner, Rafer Johnson. John finished thirteenth overall, with 6,189 total points. His shot put was 48' 1-1/2"'; high jump 5' 10"; 110 m hurdles 16.3 s; discus 162' 4-1/2"; pole vault 10' 5-1/2"; javelin 188' 7-1/2"; and 1500 m 5 min 17.41 s.

John was first introduced to the Highland Games at San Jose State by his training partner, Al Jongewaard. After attending his first event in 1964, he began to train specifically for the events and quickly broke records in almost all of them. In 1968 he became the second person ever to turn the Ballantine Challenge Caber (18 feet, 120 pounds). By the 1970s he competed with Scots Bill Anderson and Grant Anderson as well as Australian Collin Matheson. Americans Fred Vaughn and Ed McComas were also worthy adversaries.

In 1975, he won the U.S. Caber Toss Championships and the McVitties trophy for Best Athlete. John Traveled to Scotland in 1976 and 1983 to compete with Bill Anderson, Grant Anderson, and James McBeath. In 1994, the 57-year-old Ross joined the Masters Division where he has dominated. In 1997 John received the Chief-tains Cup from the Caledonian Club of San Francisco for his 33 years of involvement with the games.

One of the most respected competitors in the Highland Games, John is a man of deeds, not words. He seldom has much to say to onlookers, just a polite word or two explaining his technique. After 34 years with the Sonoma County water agency, he looks forward to retiring soon to spend more time with his wife, Evelyn, and his children, Erik, Cigne and Kari. And more time to do what he does best - throw.

Editors Note: Many thanks to Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D., Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of MILO for allowing us to reprint this article here on the Masters' Web Site. MILO should be considered standard reading for any serious Highland Games athlete. It can be accessed at www.ironmind.com or e-mail at milo@ironmind.com .

Further notes from this website editor:

http://www.caledonian.org/history/1997crew.html is a link to an article about John on the San Francisco Caledonian Club site.

I have competed at games with John Ross twice: Pleasanton in 1999 and Sacramento in 2000. I noted that in Sacramento John's style (at age 62) in the 28# for distance had changed from what he used at Pleasanton the previous fall and asked John about the change. His response was that he is continually trying to improve his technique and throws. What a great competitor.

It was at the Sacramento games in 2000 that John collapsed from a heart attack. John has now recovered well from that attack and appreciates the many prayers that were offered on his behalf. The picture below shoes the prayer circle for John on the field at Sacramento shortly after he was taken away by ambulance.

John visits with Wade Hurst between throws in Sacramento prior to his collapse during the Weight Over the Bar.